2021 Castelli Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Frankland River

Castelli Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Frankland River is a bold, structured, and impressively polished expression of Great Southern Cabernet, shaped by the region’s cool climate and ancient soils. The Castelli family established their estate winery in 2004 with a focus on capturing regional purity through small-batch winemaking and a strong connection to site. Their vineyards sit at high elevation on ironstone gravel soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavour.

Frankland River is one of the most promising Cabernet terroirs in Australia, and this wine shows why. The fruit is handpicked, gently crushed, and fermented in small batches with extended skin contact to build tannin and depth. Maturation takes place in a mix of French oak barriques, around 40 percent new, for 18 months to integrate the structure and support long-term ageing.

The nose is classic and inviting, with blackcurrant, mulberry and violets layered over bay leaf, cedar, cigar box and graphite. The palate is full-bodied yet finely tuned, with cassis, plum and redcurrant woven into savoury notes of dark chocolate, crushed herbs and gravelly earth. Tannins are firm but polished, giving this Cabernet a backbone that promises years of evolution in bottle.

Pair with chargrilled ribeye, roast lamb with anchovy and rosemary, or a rich lentil and mushroom bake. It’s drinking well now with a decant and has strong ageing potential for 10 to 15 years.