Predominant Cabernet Franc (68%) blend and Shiraz (32%) from the ancient Wrattonbully soils. Winemaker Xavier Bizot advises 2019 was the ninth warmest vintage on record.  Note, bottle image is of the 2018, however no other changes apart from the vintage date.

Terre à Terre, Crayères Vineyard, Cabernet Franc/Shiraz, Wrattonbully, 2019

I do like seeing Cabernet Franc as the majority. I’ve a soft spot for the grape. Dark heart with a bright purple rim. Ripe and ready chocolate covered blackberry fruit, musk, rose, exotic toasted spice, small plum and even a little “bubble gum” note usually seen with carbonic maceration (no mention of this in the extensive winemaking notes though).  Don’t mistake this as a simple fruit forward wine: the balance is knife-edge judged with the plushness of the Shiraz filling out the bony crevices of dark tannic, structural Cab Franc. And those tannins, they’re proudly dusty and tight. Proudly mid weight and elegant.

RRP: $32
Alc: 14%
Rating: 17.75/20 (93/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Terre à Terre Wines