Woodlands Cabernet Franc 'Reserve de la Cave' 2022

Produced since 2002, the Réserve de la Cave wines are made from Woodlands' 1976 plantings on the south-facing slope of the Woodlands Vineyard. This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc.

Each wine is made simply. After being hand-picked, the fruit is destemmed and hand-sorted into a small open fermenter. Following fermentation the wine was transferred to new French oak for 15 months.

The 2022 Cabernet Franc is intriguing, its delicacy overlaying latent power. Bright crimson in colour, the wine opens with a rich, concentrated bouquet of violet, blueberry and fine toast, with subtle notes of ironstone.

Powerful yet refined, the palate invites with vibrant red and blue fruits, accented by a delicate touch of iodine. Velvety tannins provide impressive length and structure, while clean, mineral acidity delivers balance, precision and a lingering finish.

Best enjoyed from 2029. Only 300 bottles were produced, each hand numbered.

Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River, WA
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Planted 1976
Oak: 15 months new French oak
Production: 300 bottles, hand numbered

Woodlands issues the Reserve de la Cave label to an occasionally spectacular, rather scarce trio of (typically) single-barrel selections of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all sourced from the vineyard planted between 1975 and 1977. At their best, the Reserve de la Cave Malbec and Cabernet Franc surpass all of their Australian counterparts.