2018 Terre a Terre Crayeres Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz

A blend of 63% Cabernet Franc and 37% Shiraz aged in French oak barrriques (86% old oak and 14% new). Totally opaque black as night core with a dark red black tinged hue. A mixture of red to blackcurrant and red liquorice scents greets the nose with dusty cedar, spicy tobacco and black olive notes also evident. On the elegant medium bodied palate there’s good richness to the red and blackcurrant fruits which mix with red liquorice, earthy tobacco, graphite and spicy cedar characters along the way. Dryish finish with firmly built tannins providing some chalky grip. Concludes long, refined and sturdy.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
According to the press sheet “the experience of making Crayères Vineyard reds in the last five years has made us realise that the fine wine credentials of the vineyard rely on the use of shiraz as a blending component”. Hence this once-was-varietal-cabernet-franc wine now includes shiraz in no small proportion (37%).
It’s a beautifully balanced and presented red wine. Malty oak, creamy mouthfeel, herb and iodine notes flicked here and there and a pure, confident pour of berried fruit running all the way through. Tannin has a bit of kick to it, in a good way. This is a medium wine done really well. For now or later, it will perform equally well. Drink 2020-2030.
93 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front