Deep, dark colour with a subtle purple trace, and the bouquet is earthy, woodsy, savoury and dry. The wine is rich and soft and ample, as well as savoury and strong on drying, powdery tannins. Oak is sitting on the wine somewhat; it may just need more time to emerge. The fruit is certainly concealed at this stage.
90 points
A ripe, rounded, fleshy red with accents of sweet-vanilla and coconut. Juicy, supple and warming. Decant well before serving to
harmonise the elements.89 points
Deep, rich red with a tinge of brick-red in the colour, the bouquet strong on eucalyptus with menthol and linament notes. It's full-
bodied and rich, fleshy and almost opulent in the mouth, the palate delivering intense Campari-like bitter- herb flavours. It's big, round
and fruit-sweet, with plenty of supple tannin. (69% merlot, 31% cabernet franc)90 points
Perenially exemplary Australian take on a classic right-bank (Bordeaux) blend.
Quite sullen, sitting there under a heavy oak shroud. There are lighter elements of spice and toast in that oak frame, slowly lifting to reveal glimpses of blackberry, tobacco, more seasoning.
Darker manifestation altogether, meaty and with a bitter chocolate element. It sits fine on the palate, still delicate - even for it sub 15% stature - subtle hints of vanilla, from the 50% new French oak.
Fine tannins linger, but it certainly is a wine of terroir from a warmer and drier vintage. It needs some time for the wine to settle further into itself, the gentle length an indication of that which will reward the patient.
92 points
A delicious, well-made wine with ripe, vibrant fruit. What sets this wine apart from others is the extreme depth of flavour. I enjoy the energy of the mulberry and plummy fruit, as well as the gentle chocolatey richness. Only 320 dozen produced
94 points
Our 2013 Whalebone Vineyard has collected Gold at the 2017 Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters.
Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012
66/34%, matured for 21 months in French oak (70% new). 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 rich blackcurrant, cedar, cigar box and dried herbs, and a persistent tattoo of fine-grained tannins on the very long paplte. Cork.
Rating 96
To 2037Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2013
85/15%. The first thing you notice is the liveliness of it; the second is the easygoing complexity; the third is the long chains of tannin. Tobacco and earth run through boysenberry and blackcurrant; smoky oak plays a subtle role. Cork.
Rating 96
To 2030Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012
Merlot-dominant blend – but don’t let that put you off.
It’s both fresh and substantial, oaked but brimful of fruit. It’s carved with tannin but the momentum of flavours charges through regardless. It tastes of boysenberry and black cherry, blackcurrant, coffee-cream and spearmint. It’s a full-bodied red but it feels alive. Vigorous good health, you might say. Super.94 points
2015 Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay
A new member of the Tapanappa chardonnay family, from the 2003 Tiers plantings at 1.5m spacing, producing an earlier ripening, softer and more generous style. The result is delightfully fragrant, packed with white peach and lemon fruit of impressive concentration, defining a well-rounded and juicy palate, yet beautifully honed with finely mineral acidity and finely structured mouth feel.
94 points.
2015 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay
Striking an exacting balance between complexity and depth tang and refreshing elegance, this is a chardonnay that sings the virtues of vineyards around the Piccadilly Valley in fragrant white peach and lemon tones. It's tangy, persistent, finely- textured and delicious.
94 points
2013 Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz
This is a strongly built wine destined for the long haul. The bouquet has rasp- berry, herb and mint, while the palate is deep, firm and has an ironstone-like character. Its abundant tannin will help it live and develop long-term.
92
