2024 Canobolas Cabernet Franc, Orange

Gold (95 points) Orange Wine Show 2025

Fruit is drawn from the rocky and stony parcels of the vineyard, where vines planted in '85 are rooted in red ferrosol soils. The fruit was harvested across three non-consecutive days, cold soaked, and matured in oak for 11 months, with 10% new barrels. This is a wine of distinction from the outset, carrying a depth of black fruit. Fig skin, bilberry and cassis lead, underscored by the earthy richness and compost-like complexity so characteristic of cabernet franc. It feels vibrant and assured. The fruit unfurls with concentration, while tannins remain ethereally fine. There is a quiet polish here, the result of exacting grape selection, gentle handling and attentive élevage through to bottling. A stunning release. Drink to 2035.

96 points Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

Deep, dense purple colour; crushed leaf and dark blackberry aromas, a hint of linseed oil from oak. The wine is full bodied and intense, with bright flavour underlined by firm and faintly aggressive tannins which will appreciate a little time to soften up. There is concentrated blackcurrant/blackberry flavour, and the wine shows good potential for cellaring. Drink to 2036.

93 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, December 2025

Canobolas Wines is the third oldest vineyard in the high-altitude Orange region of NSW, established by the Smith family in 1985 within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The Mattick family have been custodians of the place since 2022, with winemaker Jonathon Mattick working with viticulturist Laura Arnold.

The vineyard is planted on a north to northeast facing slope of Mount Canobolas. The site rises from 775 to 820 metres in altitude, with wines standing in deep red ferrosol and clay soils over free draining basaltic rock.

The name Canobolas comes from ‘coona’ meaning shoulder and ‘booloo’ meaning two, which the Wiradjuri pronounced Gaanha-bula. This was traditionally an important occupation site for sourcing and sharing of food, and for corroborees and ceremonies particularly relating to men’s business. To the Wiradjuri people, Gaanha-bula is a place of spiritual connection through worship of Baiame (the Creator God and Sky Father) and through the dreaming story of Gaanha-bula as one of three feuding brothers.