About Airlie Bank
About

2015 Airlie Bank Franc
Airlie Bank
" Juicy and seductive. Fernet branca, earth, and fruit of the bramble. Tonic, red licorice and clove." - Tim Shand, Head Winemaker
Vintage
Near perfect conditions in 2015 with a cool January and warm spells in February and March allowed for gradual maturation, great acid retention, and good crop with even ripeness. Phenolic maturity (brown seeds/stems) was spot on, and we took the opportunity to experiment with skin contact on whites and more whole bunch use in reds. While it wasn’t the easiest year, it was certainly the most exciting, and wines from this vintage are showing great vitality and aging potential.
Winemaking
Meet Franc! 100 % whole bunch Cabernet Franc blended and bottled in its youth to capture its juvenile vibrancy. This is not a polished wine, this is a rustic wine made in big, old oak, not fined or filtered. First contact is a wall of tannin that surrenders to a sweet kernel of explosive gooey fruit at the centre.
We call this smashability with interest.
September, 2015
The Wine Front
92 points
Redcurrant, earthy, amaro herbs, almost smoky and coffee laced, though not oaky I’d venture. Light to medium bodied, blackcurrant and redcurrant, aniseed laced, herbal, juicy and gently tannic, and tonic, with a brambly sweetness, then all those dried herbs to close with chewy tannin. Such a good wine.
Standard Bottle Out of Stock
About Airlie Bank
About