Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015

Written By Campbell Mattinson
Bottle of Tapanappa_Whalebone_Vineyard_Merlot_Cabernet_Franc_2015.

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015 (Cellar Release)
$115, 14.8% alcohol, cork, Wrattonbully.

This has been re-released at the perfect time. It’s still fleshy and bold with fruit but the secondary characters now evident send its quality significantly northwards. Dust, leather, florals and mint characters run through bold blackcurrant, cedar, red licorice, saltbush and plum. It’s a wine in a world of its own. It’s an experience, and a beautiful one. 95 points.

[I last tasted this wine in March 2020, when it was first released. Review (subscriber only) on The Winefront.]

Campbell Mattinson

Campbell Mattinson has been an independent journalist, wine critic and photographer for forty years. He founded The Winefront, is a former chief editor of the Halliday Wine Companion (and former editor of Halliday magazine), and is the only Australian to have won the Australian Wine Communicator of the Year Award more than once. He is 100% independent, and tastes between 5,000 and 10,000 wines each year, blind and in comparative brackets as often as is practicable.

More about Campbell Mattinson

Mattinson is also the founder of the Mattinson Photography business.

https://www.campbellmattinson.com
Previous

Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Gris 2025
Next

Riposte The Dagger Pinot Noir 2025