Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2019 (Case 6 x 75cl)
Case price equivalent to £40 per bottle
Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc
Region: Adelaide Hills, Southern Australia
Vintage: 2018
Bottle size: 6 x 75cl
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
ABV: 14.5%
The aroma is of ripe Merlot blackberry and fruit cake with no leafiness, decorated by the floral and spice of Cabernet Franc. The varietal complexity is underpinned by an earthy, smoky, Eucalypt bouquet typical of the Whalebone terroir.
The hand selected bunches of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from Whalebone Vineyard were separately de- stemmed, partially crushed and chilled. After a 4-day cold maceration the tubs began fermentation and were hand plunged each day for the 10-day duration of fermentation. The tubs of Merlot and Cabernet Franc were separately pressed straight to French oak barriques, 60% new and the balance 1 use. MLF occurred in barrique in the spring, the barriques were then racked off full lees and the wines returned to barrique for another 18 months.
Brian Croser was one of the first Australian winemakers of the modern era to deliberately match grape variety to site. He is adamant that terroir defines fine wine, and that the best way to achieve terroir is to be light-handed in your viticultural approach. All efforts should be concentrated in the vineyards so the correct chemistry and flavour balance on the vines can be achieved.
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