Description

The Cabernet Franc is from a small block we planted in 2008 on rootstock. For all intents and purposes this was a batch destined for Quintet, as per the norm. We didn’t decide to leave it out until blending time, when we felt it didn’t stylistically fit with the ’17 blend. We loved it as a standalone wine and looking at it in isolation we thought it would be a great fit for the Reflexion label!

This pretty, fresh style is achieved with 100% destemmed fruit but with as many whole berries as possible in ferment. This wine saw 16 months in oak (10% new). It has a small portion of Merlot in it – about 5% – to fatten out the mid-palate ever so slightly.

The result is a crunchy wine with lively acidity and great freshness. It does not necessarily need time in bottle; as with all Reflexion wines, it is ready to drink on release! – Sam Middleton, Mount Mary

 

Vineyard: South-facing slope, planted 2008 on rootstock.

Blend: 95% Cabernet franc, 5% Merlot

Fermentation: 100% destemmed; no crushing to preserve whole berries. 12 days on skins.

Maturation: 16 months in oak, 12 months in large format foudre and four months in barrique (10% new).

 

Gary Walsh

 

The Wine Front

 

95 points

 

Black jellybean, menthol, hedgerow, blackcurrant and raspberry. Medium-bodied, juicy burst but with black olive and pencil/earth savouries, buoyant, fresh, complex, dusty emery tannin, and a long and briary finish. Such a great drink. 94 or 95 points. 95 points.