Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Shiraz

Vintage Notes

2018 was the second warmest vintage on record after 2016. Despite being warm at 1799C days versus the average of 1464C days there were no heat waves and fewer than normal days above 35C. The rainfall post veraison for February and March was less than half of the average.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested on the 5th of April which is about the normal harvest time for this variety at Wrattonbully.

The two aphorisms that apply to 2018 are that “the best wines are made in cool areas in warmer than average vintages” and that “the best wines are made from regions and varieties where the harvest is in mid-Autumn.”

2018 is a ripe vintage from the unique Whalebone Vineyard terroir.

Winemaking Notes

The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Whalebone Vineyard and the Shiraz grapes from Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills were hand harvested and delivered at night to the Tapanappa Winery in the Piccadilly Valley.

The grapes were destemmed, lightly roller crushed and chilled to 2C on the way to 0.85 tonne fermenting tubs. The crushed must was cold soaked on skins for 2 days before the fermentation was initiated. After fermentation began the tubs were hand plunged daily, fully immersing the skins in the fermenting juice. The fermentation lasted for 11 days and reached a maximum temperature of 33C. At the end of fermentation, the wine was left on skins for a 7-day maceration under inert gas cover.

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines were separately gently pressed away from the skins and immediately gravitated to French oak barriques, 50% new and 50% single use, to undergo malo-lactic fermentation. At the end of malo-lactic fermentation the wines were racked off gross lees and returned to barrique for a further 18 months of maturation.

In December 2019 the wines were clear racked from the barriques and blended, 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Shiraz. The finished wine was bottled in January 2020.

Winemaker BRIAN CROSER

The Taste of the Wine

2018 Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet-Shiraz has an intense dark garnet colour with a purple edge.

The aromas are mulberry and cassis ripe fruit from the Cabernet Sauvignon and slight anise and leather from the Shiraz. The mint and fresh earth of the Whalebone terroir is melded with the cedar of the oak and the olive aroma of the tannin. 

The flavours reflect the aroma and the fruit flavour is immediately sweet and ripe, graduating to a refined tannin and balanced acid finish. 

This is a ripe complex wine, with intensity and strength and is a “true expression of the unique Whalebone Vineyard terroir” from a warm vintage.

Don't miss out on the next vintage of Tapanappa Chardonnays again!

Sign up for Tappening Newsletter and be the first to receive information on our newest releases, upcoming events and much more.
Tappening

Sorry we have to ask

To enter this site you must be at least 18 years old.

By clicking enter, I certify that I am over the age of 18.