2023 Canobolas Cabernet Franc

95 pts
A perfumed, finely etched Cabernet Franc from 36-year-old vines on Mount Canobolas, marrying violet aromatics with taut, cool-climate precision.

Price:
Sale price$55.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Jonathon Mattick continues to show just how well Orange can do with Cabernet Franc. From 36-year-old vines rooted deep in the volcanic soils of Mount Canobolas, this is a wine of poise and perfume, equal parts fragrant and structured.

The 2023 vintage delivered an exceptionally long, cool ripening window, and the Franc came off in mid-April in pristine condition. Hand-picked, naturally fermented and raised for 13 months in French oak (just 10% new), the result is a wine that celebrates clarity and detail over brute force.

The nose hums with violets, black cherry and a flicker of dark chocolate. The palate has an energetic line of acidity that drives through ripe but taut fruit, framed by supple tannins and a whisper of leafiness that feels utterly varietal. It’s cool, lifted and long – a style of Cabernet Franc that speaks fluently of altitude and patient winemaking.

Made in tiny quantities – just 133 dozen – this is a rare and thrilling example of what the variety can achieve in Orange when treated with care.

"It's persistent in its cabernet franc character and overall a totally beguiling drink... This wine will age well."
- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "100% destemmed and cold soaked for four days. Matured in 10% new French oak for 11 months. 38-year-old vines and boy oh boy do they play a part in the final wine. There is wisdom here and a layering of flavour. Cassis, boysenberry and charcoal dust. Licorice straps, black cardamom and petrified wood. Fruit dances with vitality, its focused line of acid un-muddied by oak. It's persistent in its cabernet franc character and overall a totally beguiling drink. Tannins are silty and fine. This wine will age well." - Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)

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.

Harvest dates

6th April 2022
10th April 2022
Harvest

12.9°-13.6° Baumé
3.45-3.65 pH
6.8-7.2 TA g/L
Clones: P58

Vine Age: 36 years old (planted 1986)

Winemaking

The fruit was hand picked then chilled overnight.
Hand sorted and 100% de-stemmed into small stainless steel fermenters.
The fruit was cold soaked for approximately 4 days at 4˚C.
A natural ferment managed with daily plunging.
Fermented on skins for 18-21 days and then pressed to tank before being racked to barrel where the wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation.
Aging: Oak 13 months (10% new)

Finished Wine

13.4° % Alc
3.66 pH
5.8 TA g/L
Quantity Produced: 133 dozen

Tasting Note:

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

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Cabernet Franc
Country Australia
Region Orange
Australian State NSW
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

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