2017 Moorilla Muse Cabernet Cabernet Franc, Southern Tasmania

Deep ruby, brick-red to the edge. Blackcurrant, tomato leaf and black olive tapenade aromatics. Medium weight with a lovely suppleness to its flow that comes with bottle maturity. The palate mirrors the nose in its flavour profile with supple but persistent tannins ensuring it carries long and finishes with a easy drying character. Drink 2025-2031.

93 points Stuart Knox The Real Review

Set above the Derwent River at Berriedale, Moorilla has always taken a slightly different path, blending Tasmania’s cool climate precision with the creative energy of Mona. The Muse range sits above the more playful Cloth Label wines, drawing from the estate’s best parcels and pushing toward greater structure and detail. This Cabernet Cabernet Franc blend shows just how well Bordeaux varieties can translate in Southern Tasmania.

The maritime climate here, with its long daylight hours and cooling breezes, allows Cabernet to ripen slowly, building flavour while holding onto natural acidity. The result is a style that leans more toward elegance and savoury complexity than sheer weight, a very different expression to warmer mainland regions.

Deep ruby with a vibrant edge, the aromatics are lifted and layered. Blackcurrant and red plum sit alongside violet, bay leaf and a gentle herbal note from the Cabernet Franc. There is a fine thread of cedar and spice, along with a subtle graphite character that adds intrigue.

The palate is medium bodied and finely structured, with dark fruit carried by silky, persistent tannins. Cabernet Franc brings a lovely aromatic lift and a savoury edge, while the Cabernet Sauvignon provides depth and backbone. Acidity keeps everything fresh and precise, leading into a long, composed finish that lingers with notes of cassis, dried herbs and spice.

This style works beautifully with food that highlights its savoury side. Roast lamb with garlic and rosemary, grilled beef with a pepper crust, or even duck with a touch of spice all sit comfortably alongside its balance of fruit and structure. It also pairs well with earthy vegetable dishes, especially those built around lentils or roasted root vegetables.

Drink it now with a bit of air or cellar for eight to twelve years as it develops further complexity and softens into a more tertiary profile.

There is a quiet sophistication here, a wine that reflects both its cool climate origins and Moorilla’s thoughtful approach, best enjoyed over a long meal where it has time to unfold.