At its best, Cabernet Franc can be wonderfully aromatic and elegant. Appellations such as Chinon, Bourgueil and St Nicolas de Bourgueil showcase Cabernet Franc at its best. In Australia, we tend to see Cabernet Franc primarily as a blending variety as part of Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux blends.
Too rarely, Australian examples of single varietal Cabernet Franc display the grape’s alluring aromatics. Orange’s Ross Hill is one exception. ‘Isabelle & Jack’ is a Bordeaux Right Bank-inspired blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. While relatively simple, it displays excellent varietal character, particularly in terms of the Cabernet Franc component.
This wine displays attractive grassy aromatics intermingled with red fruits (redcurrant, pomegranate) typical of Cabernet Franc. As mentioned above, it is straightforward and direct, but deserves merit for textbook varietal definition.
2012 ROSS HILL ‘ISABELLE & JACK’ CABERNET FRANC MERLOT
Variety: Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Region: Orange, New South Wales
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $20.00
Date tasted: 11 October 2014
Tasting Note:
Mid-garnet in appearance. Open and slightly aromatic nose; grassy, gently herbaceous, pencil shavings, redcurrant. Dry, medium bodied and savoury, gentle tannins. Relatively simple but displays good varietal character in the red fruit vein.
Score: 15/20
Too rarely, Australian examples of single varietal Cabernet Franc display the grape’s alluring aromatics. Orange’s Ross Hill is one exception. ‘Isabelle & Jack’ is a Bordeaux Right Bank-inspired blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. While relatively simple, it displays excellent varietal character, particularly in terms of the Cabernet Franc component.
This wine displays attractive grassy aromatics intermingled with red fruits (redcurrant, pomegranate) typical of Cabernet Franc. As mentioned above, it is straightforward and direct, but deserves merit for textbook varietal definition.
2012 ROSS HILL ‘ISABELLE & JACK’ CABERNET FRANC MERLOTVariety: Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Region: Orange, New South Wales
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $20.00
Date tasted: 11 October 2014
Tasting Note:
Mid-garnet in appearance. Open and slightly aromatic nose; grassy, gently herbaceous, pencil shavings, redcurrant. Dry, medium bodied and savoury, gentle tannins. Relatively simple but displays good varietal character in the red fruit vein.
Score: 15/20
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