2006 Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Reviews

Review of the Tapanappa Wines range

Submitted by admin on Sun, 27/02/2011 - 4:16pm
in
Source: 
http://australianwinereviews.blogspot.com/
Author: 
Alontin
Review Date: 
24th/25th of February 2011

I have a small number of Tapanappa wines in my cellar, but never tasted the full range until last night. I cannot think of another small Australian winery which produces four different wines at such an outstanding level. I much prefer these wines to Brian Croser's old Petaluma range. Every wine I tried I would rate in the 95/96 point range.

Cellar Notes - 2006 Whalebone Merlot 93 points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 4:13pm
in
Source: 
Courier Mail
Author: 
Ken Gargett
Review Date: 
5th of February 2011

 

Tapanappa 2006 Whalebone Vineyard Merlot - Merlot of the Year

Submitted by Tapanappa Wines on Wed, 10/11/2010 - 8:44am
in
Source: 
Good Wine Guide 2011
Author: 
Nick Stock
Review Date: 
November 2010

Good Wine Guide 2011 Merlot of the Year

Whalebone Vineyard Wrattonbully Merlot 2006 - 5 glasses - 94 points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:41am
in
Source: 
James Halliday Wine Companion 2011
Author: 
James Halliday
Review Date: 
July 2010

Excellent crimson hue; potent merlot red fruits and hints of savoury herb on the way through the palate meeting firm, slightly dry, tannins on the back-palate and finish. Needs patience. Cork.

13.5% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2020 $71.50 Date Tasted Dec 09

TAPANAPPA WHALEBONE VINEYARD MERLOT 2006 - 94 Points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:39am
in
Source: 
The Wine Front
Author: 
Campbell Mattinson
Review Date: 
12th of May 2010

I notice that this review was in last year's edition of the Big Red Wine Book - but didn?t make it to the site. An oversight. Not sure who wrote this one - Mr Walsh or myself. In any case I re-tasted this wine late last year and thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around too.

Nothing soft and slurpable here ? this is serious merlot. There's a trace of the dreaded eucalyptus running through it, but its overall quality is superb. It's ripped with tannin and deep, plummy fruit flavour. There's a hit of cedary oak and earthen, smoky notes too. Forget the descriptors: it's grippy and bold and beautiful.

Rated: 94 Points

Drink: 2011 ? 2017

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot 2006 - 93 Points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:36am
in
Source: 
Australian Wine Journal
Author: 
Chris Plummer
Review Date: 
4th of February 2010

he first of Tapanappa's Wrattonbully wines tasted here, this merlot displays a wonderful vibrant lift to its somewhat minty/herbal edged red plum and boysenberry notes, with oak integration looking pretty good right now. It displays great freshness to its aroma. Like the pinot it has wondrous texture, very velvety for the variety. It finishes with a firm yet softly balanced extract of silky tannins to complement its vibrant paalte. To be honest, it's been some time since I've come across an Australian merlot I've enjoyed so much. 93

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Wrattonbully Merlot 2006 - 17.0/90+ points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:33am
in
Source: 
OZWineReview.com
Author: 
Andrew Graham
Review Date: 
15 of December 2009

Apparently the Whalebone vineyard turns 35 this year, with Brian first sighting it back in the early 80's when he was working with Geoff Weaver (who was producing Cabernet from it). The vineyard shares the same celebrated soil structure as its Coonawarra neighbours, so it's of little surprise that Croser was so likely to source it out again.

It's a bit of a challenging wine to rate though this wine, most likely due to the deficiencies of a stand alone varietal Merlot. The nose shows spearmint and eucalypt in a quite leafy and even herbal style, a character that I don't mind but it can certainly polarise. From here it's a dry, dusty, taste-the-red-soil savoury dry red of proper appeal and nice dry tannins. My real quibble though is the warm, liquered finish, which derails all the good work of the rest of the wine, literally leaving a rather average taste in your mouth. No doubt it will improve with time, but that heat may only get worse. 17.0/90+

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot, 2006

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:24am
in
Source: 
Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2009
Author: 
Matthew Jukes
Review Date: 
May 2009

The two new red releases from the Whalebone Vineyard are of definite 100 Best standard. We have chosen to lead with the Merlot ahead of the Cabernet / Shiraz blend, it being the much more challenging wine to make. Stunningly proportioned and with not one ounce of unwanted power or alcohol, this wine is fast becoming a model to which all other Merlots in Australia need aspire.

Tapanappa 2006 Whalebone Vineyard Merlot - 94 Points

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 10:24am
in
Source: 
Big Red Wine Book 2009/2010
Author: 
Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh
Review Date: 
May 2009

Nothing soft and slurpable here ? this is a serious merlot?.it's overall quality is superb. It's ripped with tannin, deep, plum-shot flavour, cedary oak and more general earthen, smoky notes. Forget the descriptors: it's grippy and bold and quite beautiful.

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