Tiers Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay
An extremely intense and focused wine; the fruit is a blend of citrus, stone fruit and apple; the barrel ferment inputs and oak maturation have been swallowed by the fruit. Needs several years to relax and open for business.
94 points
Drink by 2028
Foggy Hill Vineyard 2013 Pinot Noir
Destemmed, crushed and chilled for a 4-day cold soak, 10 months in French barriques (30% new). Light colour, but with a bright hue; the flowery bouquet of spice, rose petals and small red fruits is followed by a light, perfectly balanced palate, the promised red fruits duly delivered; the finish is long and in lockstep with all that has preceded it.
95 points
Drink by 2023
Whalebone Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Shiraz
An unusual style for Tapanappa, opulent, ripe and juicy blackberry, blackcurrant and mulberry fruits in total command; oak and tannins are, of course, there, but presently shaded by the fruit. By all rights, should settle down with time.
95 points
Drink by 2032
Whalebone Vineyard 2012 Merlot Cabernet Franc
Still has excellent crimson-purple colour; has spent close on 3 years making its way into bottle, an especially long time for a blend such as this, but it clearly needed it; there is a complex interplay between cedar, cigar box, blackcurrant, dried herbs and a persistent tattoo of fine-grained tannins on the very long palate.
96 points
Drink by 2037
