2016 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Franc Nathan Coombs Estate

The 2016 Cabernet Franc Nathan Coombs Estate is deep garnet-purple colored and a little youthfully mute, opening out to reveal redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blackberry preserves plus hints of pencil shavings, cigar box and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full- bodied, it has a rich, solid frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness lifting the red and black fruit to a long savory finish. 243 cases produced.

The 2016 Cabernet Franc Nathan Coombs Estate has come along beautifully since I last tasted it. The fruit has started to flesh out, making the tannins feel a bit less imposing than they once did. Today, the Franc is deep, fleshy and seductive in every way. Dark cherry, plum and lavender are some of the many notes that emerge to grace this exquisite wine. Paul Hobbs comments that few barrels were culled out of the unbottled blend he showed me earlier this year. That extra commitment to quality paid off big time.