They say that you should treat a wine like a prince and let it speak to you first. There’s no other option with this wine, it can barely get the words out fast enough, stumbling over itself in its effusiveness and cheery outpouring of warmth and charm. The aromas practically knock you over, as they surge forward to greet you. It’s like a gorgeously ripe Pomerol, with the Cabernet Franc element giving it wonderful cassis lift followed by sweet black cherry, blackcurrant pastilles, undiluted Ribena and pencil case notes. There’s a boisterous swagger to the nose that settles down on the palate, leaving you with a wine that has a lovely pinch of fruit-soaked tannins to keep it in check and to make it presentable at the dinner table. The blend is 44% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot aged in new & seasoned French oak for 15 months. The 2014 vintage produced tiny, thick-skinned berries that stayed on the vine late into the growing season, achieving wonderful aromatic ripeness. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2030.

Press review:

International Wine Challenge: “Lovely expressive dark fruit and chocolate aromas with savoury and herb mint. The palate shows leather and sour cherry, with smooth tannins and a spiced finish.” Silver Medal