Witchmount Sunbury Cabernet Franc 2016

Now, for something completely different.

A handpicked, wild fermented, carbonic macerated, unfined and unfiltered Cabernet Franc from a region that lies in the shadow (and underneath the flight path) of Tullamarine airport.

Unusual.

It’s riotously pleasurable wine too, one that takes inspiration from Beaujolais, the nouveau wave of natural Loire Cab Franc and more to make for a maximo delicious light red.

What I like here is the sheer exuberance, that mulberry fruit left unburdened by oak (matured for just 6 months in old wood), and the hints of hedgerow and cinnamon that good Franc is all about embraced, rather than avoided. A lovely lick of licorice in there too, and tannins. Actual tannins.

Again, delicious wine. Varietal. Pleasurable, full flavoured, unadulterated, yet not callow. It’s not going to get massive scores, but drinkability is high, and the persistence and length points to something more than just a plaything.

I’m a big fan.

Best drinking: 2017-2020. 13%, $33. 17.7/20, 92/100. Would I buy it? Sure would.