2021 Frankland Estate Olmo's Reward Cabernet Blend, Frankland River

The reward is watching this morph, over the years and now in the glass, into such a special wine, one led by cabernet franc, one that speaks of place and one that delights in its youth but will promise more complexity in time. Today, it’s all red fruited and infused with smoky, earthy flavours, turmeric and licorice with a distinct ferrous/ironstone character. It’s ripe, fuller bodied yet not heavy, with tangy acidity and textural tannins spreading across the palate leaving a lasting imprint and a desire for another glass.

96 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

The Frankland Estate Olmo's Reward Cabernet Blend is the flagship red of this outstanding Western Australian producer and one of the most ageworthy, Bordeaux-inspired blends to come out of Frankland River. Named after Dr. Harold Olmo, the renowned American viticulturist who identified Frankland River as an ideal region for grape growing in the 1950s, this wine is a tribute to vision, terroir and precision winemaking.

A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, Olmo's Reward is grown in the estate’s certified organic Isolation Ridge vineyard. The ironstone gravel soils, cool climate and wide diurnal range shape a wine of finesse, structure and longevity. Cabernet Franc leads the charge here, giving the wine its signature lift, florals and leafy complexity, while Merlot and Malbec round out the palate with plush fruit, and Cabernet Sauvignon delivers backbone and grip.

Expect aromas of violets, redcurrant, cassis, dried herbs and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied but deeply flavoured, with layers of dark berry, tobacco leaf and graphite. Fine tannins and vivid natural acidity give it structure and poise. This is a wine that confidently walks the line between elegance and power, offering early drinking pleasure but real rewards with long-term cellaring.

Match it with roast lamb, mushroom ragù or aged cheddar. Cellar confidently for 15 years or more.