Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2018
“After four vintages of red blends from Xavier Bizot’s Wrattonbully region vineyard in South Australia’s south-east – it falls within the Limestone Coast zone – he has come to the realisation that the classic cabernet-shiraz duet is the most significant way to reflect a genuine Australian red wine character from the site. But here is a unique take on that blend with cabernet franc being the major partner at a 63% share. Intriguingly it and the shiraz were picked just one day apart. Both matured in 21% new French oak for nine months, the cabernet franc then spending a further nine in an old 4000l foudre while the shiraz stayed in barrels.
The result is a fruit-forward, juicy style that accentuates the more floral and crushed berry aromatic spectrum of the cabernet family. That achieved successfully, how cabernet franc and shiraz partner is really interesting, suggesting blueberry and rhubarb flavours as well as blackberry and crunchy red plum. Texturally it’s about soft-chewy tannins that fill the mouth but never tend to heavy or blocky, so quite more-ish and offering a more daytime/afternoon/ barbecue/sunset friendly red wine style. You can’t get more Australian that that.” 93 points
Drink 2020-2027
Tony Love, winepilot.com July 2020.
