Recognition

Medium deep garnet to ruby rim still there. Still fresh with a core of berry fruit: black, boysen and blue. White pepper, powdered cocoa, cedar and vanilla still offering some winemaking influence. There’s a hint of development with nori sheet/beef …

Tapanappa Wrattonbully Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015, $115. Didn’t women once wear whalebone in their corsets? Seems totally inappropriate for such a grand creature, which increases no end the credibility of this wine grown on the soil of long …

This wine has been held back for a prestigious re-release. It of course was reviewed some time ago on WineFront, with applause and praise given.

It’s in a beautiful spot. Almost a ‘pinosity’ to the wine, suppleness, medium weight, satiny …

It’s a heady mix of Merlot and Cabernet Franc (69/31%) from the cool 2015 vintage. Remnants of oak, cedar, redcurrant – all the more impressive for a wine at ten years to maintain a level of primary expression.

It was …

Although the nose shows a hint of maturity, the plum/blackberry fruit is impressively fresh. This exceptional wine is certainly an Australian Pomerol, and the powdery tannins interact seamlessly with the intense flavour.

5 stars

…

What a sheer privilege it was to taste this Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard blend 2015 alongside the new 2021 release. Brian Croser is releasing a small quantity of the 2015s and its pure class is obvious. Better still, what a thrilling …

Brian Croser has made the decision to re-release this wine from what was a coolish vintage, not dissimilar to the 2021. It’s a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. And even after 10 years, it’s bright with energy and life …

As always, the opportunity to source a wine already matured by the producers is an opportunity which should not be ignored. This is a blend of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, each variety made separately before the final step …

The decision to re-release the 2015 red blend is deliberate. The year, a cool vintage, is intended as a comparison with the new release 2021 Whalebone Vineyard red blend, also from a cool year. The comparisons are there (minus, of …

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

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