Wine Enthusiast – ‘Deep colour. Ethereal cassis, light marzipan, vanilla with hints of violet. Fresh blackcurrant pastille, marzipan, cedar flavour and fine bittersweet/ grainy tannins. Finishes claret firm, with pure dark berry fruits and superb mineral length. Elegantly proportioned, pristine and sinuous with excellent cellaring potential. A genuine Australian First Growth highlighting the genius of vineyard site, meticulous harvesting (five separate picking times), empathetic and imaginative winemaking. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec, 14 months maturation in new (55%) and seasoned French oak. A classic vintage; up there with the best. Keep for a while to allow some bottle age development as you will be greatly rewarded. 13.5% alc.’ 99 points. - Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal.
Huon Hooke – ‘Deep, bright red-purple colour with a reserved, shy bouquet that leads into a similarly latent palate
where masses of fine tannins lie stealthily in wait. Subtle violet and blackberry traces. There is
tremendous depth and muscle to this wine but it is still a little in its shell and needs more time to open.
Masses of tannin bode well for its future in the cellar. Decanting may work if broaching it young. (89%
cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec. Aged in 55% new oak for 14 months).’
98 points. Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Jancis Robinson – "Purplish crimson. Very aromatic in a floral way. Gentle and sweet but not sickly. Much gentler texture than the average St-Émilion. Dry finish but powdery tannins on the end." - 17.5 Points | Jancis Robinson
James Halliday – Deep colour; a distinguished, full-bodied
Bordeaux blend with blackcurrant, mulberry, black olive, briar and French
oak all in play. Has the length and balance to repay extended cellaring."
Halliday Wine Companion '17
James Halliday – "... I love the transparency of the Barossa’s cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it.”
13 AUGUST 2021 - Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion
Huon Hooke – This blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot has a track record of consistency, and ages beautifully. It’s labelled Barossa, a zone that embraces Eden Valley as well as Barossa Valley proper.
It certainly tastes like a Henschke Eden Valley red, with tell-tale raspberry and sage among various dried-herb and spice aromas, floral and earthy nuances too. It’s deliciously fruit-sweet, almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be reward even a few years in the cellar. (Screwcap)
James Suckling – Currant, dried-flower, citrus-zest, and sandalwood aromas, with hints of sliced mushrooms. It’s medium-to-full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and fresh acidity. Fragrant, pretty, and precise. Really fine.
Wine Enthusiast – "A wine which honours the significant contribution of Dr Harold Olmo in the early stages of the new era of the
WA wine industry. It’s a blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. In this case it has the highest
proportion of cabernet franc ever used in the blend. Has a beautiful lift of red fruit on the nose with leafy
graphite nuances. Medium weight but with highly concentrated fruit. Rolls majestically across the palate with
fine chalky tannins and the perfect tuned oak supporting through to a long finish." - 97 points, Ray Jordan, WinePilot.com, April 2024.
James Suckling – "Currant, dried-flower, citrus-zest and sandalwood aromas, with hints of slicedmushrooms. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and freshacidity. Fragrant, pretty and precise. Really fine. Try from 2024."
Cabernet Franc is a blue-black grape variety that is among the primary grapes used in Bordeaux wine blends. However, it's not just a supporting actor. On its own, Cabernet Franc produces fascinating, medium-bodied red wines that have become increasingly sought after by enthusiasts worldwide. These wines typically present a combination of fruity and herbaceous flavors, with common tasting notes including raspberry, bell pepper, crushed violets, and, at times, graphite. Its lighter tannins compared to Cabernet Sauvignon make Cabernet Franc wines quite approachable in their youth, though many also possess the structure required for aging. Historically overshadowed by its more famous offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is now earning recognition as a standalone varietal, displaying its own distinct charm and elegance.
The Loire Valley in France, particularly areas like Chinon and Bourgueil, is arguably the global epicenter for top-quality Cabernet Franc wines. Here, the grape has flourished for centuries, yielding wines that artfully express the region's unique terroir. However, Bordeaux cannot be overlooked, where Cabernet Franc plays a critical role in the region's iconic blends, especially from the Right Bank appellations like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. Outside of France, regions such as California's Napa Valley, New York's Finger Lakes, and Argentina's Mendoza have also garnered attention for producing outstanding Cabernet Franc wines, reflecting each area's distinctive characteristics.
The popularity of Cabernet Franc wines varies by region. In the Loire Valley, wines from producers like Domaine Bernard Baudry in Chinon or Domaine de la Chevalerie in Bourgueil have developed a devout following. In Bordeaux, châteaux like Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc craft legendary blends where Cabernet Franc shines brilliantly. Stateside, wineries such as Lang & Reed in Napa Valley or Ravines Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes have showcased the grape's adaptability and potential for excellence in New World terroirs. These examples represent only a fraction of the diverse and compelling Cabernet Franc wines available on the market today.
While there are plenty of premium Cabernet Franc wines that command higher prices, the grape is also known for offering excellent value. Many gems come from the Loire Valley, where the cost of land and production hasn't reached the peaks of regions like Bordeaux or Napa. Wines from Saumur-Champigny, Anjou, or Touraine often provide fantastic value, delivering the grape's characteristic flavors at affordable prices. Similarly, emerging regions like Argentina's Mendoza or South Africa's Stellenbosch are producing high-quality Cabernet Franc wines that won't break the bank.
Cabernet Franc's medium body and distinctive flavor profile make it an exceptionally versatile food wine. Its herbal notes beautifully complement dishes with green herbs like rosemary or thyme. Think roasted lamb or grilled vegetables. The wine's acidity and red fruit flavors make it a natural match for tomato-based dishes, be it pasta or pizza. Given its French roots, it's no surprise that Cabernet Franc pairs wonderfully with classic dishes like duck confit or coq au vin. However, its adaptability means it can also stand up to spicier cuisines, making it a delightful companion for dishes ranging from Mediterranean to certain Asian preparations.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.