Brian Croser certainly doesn’t need any introduction to those who worship Bacchus, as his name is synonymous with Australian fine wine. Tapanappa began its life in 2002 with a partnership between Brian and Ann Croser and Bollinger of Champagne and the Cazes family of Lynch Bages in Pauillac, Bordeaux; no denying the pedigree involved here.
The Tiers vineyard was planted in 1979, the first vineyard planted in the Adelaide Hills region in the 20th century. It’s certainly a special site, producing wines that consistently rank among the finest examples of the variety in this country. 2014 was a cool vintage in the Adelaide Hills and it is immediately apparent after the first sip that this is a wine of great restraint and elegance.
Pale straw in the glass with gorgeous aromas of ripe peach, nectarine and citrus fruits underscored with hints of gentle spice, nougat, almond paste, oatmeal, crushed stone, light struck-match notes and beautifully judged French oak.
In the mouth it cuts a fine, elegant line; nectarine, peach and pithy lemon flavours show first and are followed by hints of spice, crushed quartz, white flowers, marzipan, nougat, oatmeal, roasted nuts and light cascade of very sexy French oak. It’s fine and filigreed with excellent clarity and a lovely line of steely acidity propelling the lovely fruit to the wine inevitable conclusion, fading slowly leaving a memory of stone fruits, spice and meal.