Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2004 South Australia

The Cazes family of Bordeaux and the Bollinger family of Champagne have joined forces with renowned Australian terroirist and winemaker Brian Croser in an endeavour to create a distinctive new class of Australian wine. This Tapanappa partnership owns mature vineyards in some of the most expressive Australian terroirs and the partners are determined to apply their combined fine wine experience to these singular vineyards in order to craft wines of the best possible quality. The name Tapanappa derives from the Australian aboriginal words meaning stick to the path. Tapanappa?s debut wine hails from the 30-year-old Whalebone vineyard in the southeast part of South Australia. This unique environment offers excellent growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, thanks to its proximity to the Great Southern Ocean, which moderates the climate, and the presence of terra rossa, a bright red soil which lies atop the limestone of the ancient shoreline. 950 cases were produced. Grapes from the 30-year-old, 20-acre Whalebone vineyard at the Joanna crossroad in Wrattonbully, just north of Coonawarra in the southeast of South Australia. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Franc Grapes were harvested in mid-April and fermented in small hand-plunged fermenters. The juice was left in contact with the skins for 21 days then pressed into new French oak barriques, where malolactic fermentation was carried out. The wine was then racked to clarity over a 20 month period in barrique and was bottled without filtration in May 2005 Vibrant ruby red with a Bouquet of Ripe aromas of blackberries and cassis with subtle scents of chocolate, clove and gingerbread. Rich and smooth on the palate, with flavors of black fruit, toast and spice against a backdrop of ripe tannins. An elegant wine that nicely balances elements of Old and New World styles