Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc is made from 1974 plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, believed to be some of the first plantings of the varieties in South Australia.

The Whalebone Vineyard lies on a ridge 20 kilometres north of Coonawarra. Its soils, similar to Coonawarra, are the famed terra rossa but its underlying limestone is 35 million years old.

In this limestone are the bones of a whale, now exposed in a cave beneath the vineyard created by years of erosion. This inspired the vineyard's name.

Bunches of Merlot and Cabernet Franc are hand selected and picked separately. The varieties remain separate until just prior to bottling.

Destemmed, partially crushed fruit is chilled in tubs, where it sees cold maceration. Once inoculated, it ferments with daily hand plunging. The tubs are then sealed for post ferment maceration.

The wine is pressed directly to French oak barrels, at least half new and the balance second use. After 18-20 months, it is racked and blended prior to bottling.

Red purple, Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc combines the Merlot's dark fruit and the Cabernet Franc's floral, spicy notes. Fine tannins provide a long, savoury finish.

Fresh, elegant and ethereal. Cellaring potential is 10 years.