Domaine Naturaliste Le Naturaliste Cabernet Franc 2019

Le Naturaliste was the ship that originally charted the waters of the pristine Margaret River region. The ‘Lenny’ Cab Franc, the ship’s vinous homage, has her own distinct personality, demanding large 500 litre oak puncheons for harmonious maturation. And what harmony! So much is going on in this wine, with sweet and savoury elements: vanilla and confectionery notes, liquorice, smoked tomato and dried oregano. The wine is big, bold, intense, the ripe concentrated fruit matched with congruent oak. Big structure, weighty, pepper and spice with a firm tannin grip. Could be cellared for fifteen years or more, or opened tonight, decanted for an hour while you fire up the Hibachi and treat yourself to an aged wagyu ribeye with horseradish cream.