Sometime in 2012 (or thereabouts), Tapanappa released a tranche of museum wines, the 2004 Whalebone Merlot being one of them. I bought some. I drank them over time. They were sensational, with soft, plush, mineral, layers. I still (clearly) have very fine memories of them. Here, in the 2018 Cabernet Franc Merlot Whalebone Vineyard, I see the structure and the softness starting to poke through the firm wall of structure in the mouth, and I know this wine will evolve over the years to become a graceful, cohesive, elegant wine. For now, I believe it is still too young, yet all the building blocks for future pleasure are there. Reminiscence can be a dangerous thing.

The floral-herbal elements of Cabernet Franc are nicely balanced and rounded out by the ripe cherries of the Merlot in Tapanappa's 2017 Cabernet Franc Merlot Whalebone Vineyard. Silky and fine on the palate, this medium to full-bodied red still delivers plenty of flavor, with cherries and tobacco set off by accents of cedar and vanilla on the lingering finish.

Deep garnet in color, the 2009 Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc has a meaty, gamey nose built around a core of maturing prune, espresso and incense aromas. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of flesh in the mid-palate framed by firm, somewhat harsh tannins, it finishes with a good length of savory, earthy flavors, if a little hard. Drink it now to 2017+. Imported by Palm Bay Imports, Port Washington, NY; tel. 800-872-5622