Squitchy Lane Cabernet Franc 2024

Squitchy Lane is the love child of football great and Rhodes scholar Mike Fitzpatrick. Just like his career(s) he does things differently with his wine label, championing Cabernet Franc from the Yarra Valley. This wine launches into the glass with black cherries, blackcurrants, violets,  lavender, and a hint of spearmint. As it breathes, sweet cinnamon spice and freshly baked, vanilla scented, chocolate cake delights. In the mouth, more berries are added to the buffet with cranberries red currants and blackberries joining in. It has the potential to be a crowd pleaser with its medium body, fine chalky tannins and crunchy Heirloom apple acidity; making food pairing a breeze from simple charcuterie or pizza to luscious roast duck or pork belly (with crackling, of course!).  But it’s more than that. For those that like to linger and ponder, layers are revealed,  in the same way Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley behave (the variety’s signature region). Having tried multiple vintages now of Squitchy Lane’s Cabernet Franc, there’s no question in my mind that they are quietly leading the way in Australia with this variety. Only 70 dozen made – don’t miss out!

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Wine tasting