2008 Merlot Cabernet Franc

A new wine made in a small batch for the first time

Made the same way as our Shiraz-Viognier and Trio wines, the nose opens to plummy fruits and cedar oak.  The palate has deep plum and cherry flavours, with nice complexity provided by the French oak.  Juicy, with soft tannins and a long finish.  A wonderful St-Emilion style wine.  Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years.

Reviews

"Capital Gains" Special Tasting : Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, Oct/Nov 2009

(Reviewed by tasting panel comprising Peter Bourne, Peter Forrestal, Huon Hooke and Nick Bullied, supported by Nick Ryan and Debbie Pearce).

"Emulates the Right Bank Bordeaux blend and does it successfully", Nick Ryan noted.  "Plums and violets, juicy fruits and a plump, lush texture.  Fine-knit, lightly warm tannins".  I liked the suppleness and the fully ripe flavours and tannins.  There's a well-judged touch of vanillin from new oak, too, and distinct acidity freshens the finish.  The result is a fleshy, well-developed structured wine that's drinking nicely already and which should develop more complexity over four years.  (Nick Bullied)

90 points

Top Drops, Chris Shanahan, Sunday Canberra Times 17 January 2010

Brian and Janet Johnston's wines are vibrant and fruity with clear varietal character.  The reds offer contrasting expressions of cabernet sauvignon and related varieties; the merlot dominant blend is fragrant and plummy with a little less body and very fine, dry tannins.

Winestate Magazine May/June 2010

3.5 Stars