2016 Airlie Bank Franc

Airlie Bank

Australia / Yarra Valley / Airlie Bank

100% whole bunch Cabernet Franc blended and bottled in its youth to capture its juvenile vibrancy. This is a rustic wine made in big, old oak, not fined or filtered. First contact is a web of tannin that surrenders to a sweet, gooey fruit at the centre. Juicy and seductive, with notes of fernet branca, earth and bramble fruit. Tonic, red licorice and clove.

March, 2017

Mike Bennie

The Wine Front

92 points

Blue fruits, green herbs, pepper, sweet spice, earth. Lovely start. Light weight, gently sweet, dashes of amaro bitter sweetness. Superb drinking here, so light and gently sweet and bright. Crunchy fresh feel. Yes.

October, 2016

Ben Thomas

The Weekly Review

92 points

The winemaker says this tastes terrible just after the grapes are pressed but “it comes together after three months in old [oak barrel] hogsheads”. It’s highly perfumed and full of character. The perfume carries on through the mouth, along with a juicy berry and cherry mix of flavours.

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About Airlie Bank

Airlie Bank dares to treat drinkers with respect by delivering wines that are delicious and true - as well as remarkably good value. Tim Shand and the team enjoy freedom to push boundaries. Their small-batch ethos has led to a great deal of creativity and ever-decreasing doses of sulphur. Nothing is off the cards when they sniff an opportunity to make a more compelling wine, as demonstrated by its 100% whole bunch Cab Franc and goon-bag fermented Sauvignon Blanc. Pure drinking pleasure is the one-point manifesto of Airlie Bank, and the thirsty take-up across the board shows that they're hitting the mark.

About

Tim came to the Yarra Valley with vintages under his belt at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy and Château Margaux in Bordeaux, as well as stints in Chianti, Oregon and Chile. Since then he had a hand in some of the region’s headline-grabbing wines of recent times during his tenure at Giant Steps before taking the helm at Punt Road in 2014. Tim and the team are making most of the freedom to push boundaries while making the most of the excellent fruit the Yarra Valley gives rise to.