2021 Domaine Naturaliste Le Naturaliste Cabernet Franc

Highly Rated
An exceptional varietal Cabernet Franc and a new benchmark wine from Margaret River.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Price:
Sale price$92.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 2 units left
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Description

The Le Naturaliste is the latest addition to Bruce Dukes' Flagship range.

A straight varietal Cabernet Franc born from Dukes' finest parcel of fruit from the heart of Margaret River - this is a stunning example of the poetential for this variety when made in a reserve style.

Think of it as Cabernet Sauvignon's sleeker, more elegant cousin. It's gracefully aromatic, and shows exceptional structure for the variety. It's Australian Cabernet Franc in full stride.

95 points
“This is a Cab Franc with power and concentrated intensity. It starts with an aromatic combination of red fruits, liqueur chocolate and cherry. The palate is firmly structured with firm tannins and a liberal amount of oak supporting an intense fruit. On the finish, a trace of regional ironstone and cracked seashell adds the final flourish. Will handle extended cellaring.”
- Ray Jordan

95 points
"Wonderfully complex and perfumed with aromas of wild blueberries, violets, dark chocolate and damson plums. The full-bodied palate has finely integrated tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of dark cherries, chalk, cured meats, graphite and dried herbs. Very lush and structured with a flora edge. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling

95 points - "Given the difficult vintage, this is showing lovely, if big, flavours with no weedy nuances at all. An impressive wine rich in black fruit, dark chocolate studded with mint, lashings of cedary oak and plentiful tannins. No wallflower as it’s full bodied and almost voluptuous, yet the finish is long and generous." - Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - “This is a Cab Franc with power and concentrated intensity. It starts with an aromatic combination of red fruits, liqueur chocolate and cherry. The palate is firmly structured with firm tannins and a liberal amount of oak supporting an intense fruit. On the finish, a trace of regional ironstone and cracked seashell adds the final flourish. Will handle extended cellaring.” - Ray Jordan

95 points - "Wonderfully complex and perfumed with aromas of wild blueberries, violets, dark chocolate and damson plums. The full-bodied palate has finely integrated tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of dark cherries, chalk, cured meats, graphite and dried herbs. Very lush and structured with a flora edge. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • LS
    Lorant S.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    3 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2020 Domaine Naturaliste Le Naturaliste Cabernet Franc
    Reviewing
    2020 Domaine Naturaliste Le Naturaliste Cabernet Franc
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Impressive

    A great region for Cabernet of all kind and this doesn’t disappoint. Not tried many cab franc but this was one of the best.

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

Lenny is hands on wine in the vineyard. Bruce, Wendy and (son) Timmy Dukes remove all the wings on the clusters each January. Wendy and Tim believe the task to be onerous; Bruce finds sheer joy in connecting with family and vine. The vineyard quest is for the purple, blue and violet spectrum fruit. In the cellar, Lenny grows in 500L French oak puncheons, around 40% new, typically achieving tannis x perfume balance after 14 months, hence bottling. Boysenberry, cherry skin, and melting tannin and minerals. 94 % Cabernet Franc and 6 % Cabernet Sauvignon, all Wilyabrup.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Cabernet Franc
Country Australia
Region Margaret River
Australian State WA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By James Suckling
Ray Jordan
Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure Screw Cap

Domaine Naturaliste

Domaine Naturaliste is a Margaret River producer to keep an eye out for.

Named James Halliday's Best Value Winery for 2020, owner/winemaker Bruce Dukes has a wealth of winemaking experience both here and abroad, including a stint at Francis Ford Coppola's iconic Niebaum Coppola winery in the Napa Valley.

His wines are made from traditional Margaret River varieties with a focus on premium Chardonnay and Cabernet that rival the best of the region.

From the top-shelf premium range to the excellent 'daily drinking' wines, everything made by the hands of Bruce is outstanding value for money!

Winemaker Bruce Dukes Margaret River, WA Domaine Naturaliste

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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

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