Cabernet Franc is a great grape (in the right hands). There’s been an explosion of wineries dabbling in straight Franc lately, too (and why not)? Anthony Fikkers from the Rising Vineyard is pretty handy at this whole winemaking caper and nothing but net with the Rising Cabernet Franc 2023. Handpicked, light on the extraction, only eight days on skins – it’s lightness all the way. What a lovely boysenberried wine too. Red fruit, a little redcurrant and tobacco leaf, with this just-ripe delicacy and mediumness. Lightly herbal, in a Loire Cab Franc mode, but there’s a darker seam underneath too. Yarra claret, if not wildly tannic, and great delicacy. 18 13% $38

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: now and for a decade. But mainly now
• Score (out of 20): 18
• Score (out of 100): 93
• Alcohol %: 13
• RRP (in $AUD): 38
• Winery website: https://www.risingwines.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: sure would