A remarkable ground-breaking statement of cabernet franc in Australia.
Ray Jodan
About The Wine
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.
About 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!
Margaret River, WA
From The Producer
Cabernet Franc is the shy little sister of the Bordelaise family: aromatic, soft textured and boasting pristinely fine tannin and drive.
The decision to craft an expression of Margaret River as seen through the mode of this noble and ancient grape was an easy one, particularly when faced with fruit grown in the heart of Wilyabrup and on our quintessentially alimental gravel loam soils.
Subtle threads of violets, cherry blossom and fresh juniper berries serve as highlights to an ample tapestry of black plums, cacao nib and ironstone. Sheer textures of crushed granite and black cherry skin are laced with porcelain tannin and quenching natural acidity.
Blend : Cabernet Franc (100%)
ABV : 14.00%
Closure : Cork
Drink Until : 2040
Bottle Size : 750ml
Critic Reviews
"This is Cabernet Franc unlike anything I have seen on this continent. A remarkable ground-breaking statement of cabernet franc in Australia. There is a sports-car power and elegant style. Perfumed violets and cherries with even a little juniper berry lift. It is fragrant beyond expectations with a depth and intensity built with structure, fine, chalky tannins and filled with black cherry and plum.” - Jay Jordan
"Beautiful perfume of violet,rose and bay leaf, dusted with exotic and peppery spices, ginger biscuits, raspberry, redcurrant and boysenberry, crushed herbs and lead pencil. Yeah, that’s a lot of things, but it’s all go here. Medium-bodied, black olive and dark chocolate set in red and black fruit, lovely perfume, gravelly tannin, richness but with that strictness and ‘mineral’ feel you get from good Cabernet Franc. Finish is long, savoury and succulent at once. Margaret River, yes, but with Napa Valley intensity of flavour, if that makes sense. Excellent." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
"Matured for 14 months in French oak (40% new). Dark chocolate, cassis and mulberry adorn the nose here. The palate is huge, concentrated, driven by oak but navigated by sensitive needles of violet, blackberry, licorice and aniseed. The finish is floral, as one expects cabernet franc to be, but it remains a huge wine. The florals are amplified by an engine powered by the sunshine of the 2018 vintage." - Erin Larkin (Halliday Wine Companion)
Delivery is Free for any order of $99 or more, or just $10 for any orders less than $99. There is no minimum order quantity and you can mix and match as much as you like. Make your perfect mixed pack! In Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Byron Bay we deliver with our own vans. All other areas are serviced by Australia Post.
Sydney Metro orders in the Pink Zone will be delivered the next day 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. Orders in the Blue Zone will be delivered on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everything outside these zones will be delivered by Australia Post.
Melbourne Metro orders are picked up at 12pm from our Sydney warehouse every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and delivered the following day in Melbourne (Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri). Please refer to this map to see if your address is considered Melbourne Metro here. Everything outside of this zone will be dispatched next business day with Australia Post.
Brisbane Metro orders are picked up from our Sydney warehouse every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 12pm and delivered on Thursday or Friday. Please refer to this map to see if your address is considered Brisbane Metro here. Everything outside of this zone will be dispatched next business day with Australia Post.
Australia Wide Deliveries To the rest of Australia we use Australia Post. The Australia Post Collection Truck picks up orders from our Sydney warehouse every weekday at midday. If your order is placed before 12pm we’ll get it on the truck that day. Delivery times vary considerably with Australia Post and unfortunately there is no Express Delivery Option for wine (because it is fragile and heavy). PLEASE NOTE that we are currently seeing significant delays in the Australia Post delivery network. Strict government health and safety requirements and very high parcel volumes are causing significant backlogs at the main NSW and VIC sorting facilities. Orders are still arriving safe and sound but you may notice slower delivery times and less frequent scanning updates than usual.
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Returns are free for 100 days after purchase. You can view the conditions of our return policy here
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