95 points - "One of my favourite cabernet francs thanks to the powdery, fine tannins, its flavour profile and the sheer joy that comes from drinking it. It’s refined and elegant with raspberry leaf and rooibos tea aromas; it’s also earthy with pencil shavings, remember those? Savoury through and through and the finish lingers long." - Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "Dusty, white peppery, raspberry, redcurrant and cranberry, black tea, curry powder, with some rosehip floral notes. It’s medium-bodied, again that fine dusty tea-like tannin grip, nutmeg and red fruits, really quite spicy, with cool acidity, some olive leaf, and a dry and crunchy finish of excellent length. It’s almost more like a Pelaverga x Pinot Noir cross in a way, rather than Cabernet Franc, but gee, it’s a good and distinctive wine." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Tasting Note
Vibrant ruby red with purple hues, this Cabernet Franc opens with lifted aromas of redcurrants, cranberry, violet florals, leather, and spice, alongside hints of olive and dark chocolate flecks.

The juicy, textural front palate unfolds with notes of plum and mouthcoating gravelly tannins that drive the length of the wine, while mulberry dominates the mid-palate. With time in the glass, the wine opens beautifully, revealing further layers of savouriness and graphite. There's more ripeness and structure in this vintage, giving the wine a distinct oomph and depth.

2023 Vintage
An outstanding vintage for Frankland River reds, thanks to:

A very wet, cold winter followed by a cool, wet spring, which saturated the soil profile and supported excellent vine growth and fruit set.

A mild to cool finish to the season, allowing for extended hang time and greater flavour and complexity development.

Cabernet Franc was harvested on 23rd April, at ideal ripeness.

Viticultural precision, including meticulous yield management through fruit selection, paid off handsomely in a vintage marked by balance and elegance.

Vineyard
The fruit was sourced from 1988 plantings in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard at Frankland Estate. This vineyard sits on undulating, north- and east-facing slopes, with ancient duplex soils of ironstone gravel and loam over clay sub-soil.

Certified organic since 2009

Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) trellis system is used to optimize sun exposure and ripening

Cabernet Franc is a key variety for Frankland Estate, also featured in the Olmo’s Reward blend

The variety is especially well-suited to the Frankland River region, showing exceptional depth and concentration

Vinification
Harvested in ideal conditions

Fermented in shallow open stainless-steel fermenters

Hand plunged to gently extract tannins and preserve fruit purity

Pressed off skins and aged on lees in 500L French oak