2012 Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz

The project of Brian Croser and family, Tapanappa acquired the then 30 year-old Whalebone Vineyard in 2002 and completely renovated it onto a new trellis supporting a shoot thinned vertical canopy. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Shiraz the wine was aged for 21 months in new French oak of which 70% was new. Totally opaque midnight black dark red colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant aromas merge with mint, blackberry and liquorice scents over a background of vanillin cedar, subtle earthy cigar box and spicy clove end notes. Beautifully ripened blackcurrant and blackberry fruit flavours flood the full bodied palate followed by liquorice/aniseed like characters, lightly scorched earth and spicy cedar. Superb concentration and power with a firm grippy finish the result of the solidly built wall of tannins. Long aftertaste of ripe blackcurrant infused with a touch of mint, liquorice, scorched earth and spicy cedar.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 15.1%