Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2019
- 90
- Drink by: 95
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Everything about this wine suggests it is one for the long haul. Both the Merlot and Cabernet Franc come from the Whalebone Vineyard. The blend is 55% Merlot and 45% Cab Franc with blending only just before a seventeen month maturation period in barriques. After destemming and a short cold soak, an eleven day ferment and then seven days on skins. 470 dozen, under cork. This is deep red. The toasty oak is to the fore here. Notes of chocolate, black fruits, coffee grinds, dried herbs and plums, the wine has serious concentration, but impeccable balance. Poise, focus, very fine if slightly firm tannins and excellent length. Definitely one for the cellar.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
