Silky textured, shy of medium weight, quite compact with its sheath of lacy tannin, bright in its cherry/cassis fruit characters, some good dashes of black pepper, sage leaf, liquorice in the mix. A shy wine but one with appeal in its understatement and sense of finesse. It feels like one for big glasses now, but should also cellar very well. Classy stuff.
93 points Mike Bennie winefront.com.au
Gold Medal NSW Wine Awards Trophy Best Red Varietal NSW Wine Award
The nose here carries a delightful energy, perfumed with violets, black cherry and dark chocolate. This is followed by a tension on the palate; taut and as energetic as the nose suggested, yet rich in dark fruit and supported by a supple bed of tannins. Fresh, cool, with great definition and length.
Off 1986-planted vines. Natural ferment, no filter/fining. Organic farming in place with certification to come. “When we took over the place Cabernet Franc was the variety I knew the least about, but is definitely the one I find the most exciting. All of Murray’s (Smith) older Cabernet Franc ones are the ones that spoke to me the most”, says Jonathon Mattick.