Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Black Doris plum in colour with enticing hues of crimson and red rose. Juicy blackcurrant and red liquorice abound on the nose, with savoury notes of star anise, cinnamon, and toasted almond. Fresh coastal sea spray creates nostalgic memories of summer days. Sweet plums are made plush and juicy with crunchy acidity and satisfyingly chewy tannins. Lasting flavours of toffee apple and blueberry ice cream are wrapped in warm glow on the finish.
When the valley has gone quiet and all that’s left outside of the winery to show for a season’s hard work are bare lignified canes, a small patch of lime green canopy remains. Found deep in a natural amphitheatre scoured out by the river, our old Franc vines focus the last of the fading sun’s energy into its soft blue bunches. This is the time where patience is in short supply as thoughts of post-harvest holidays weigh heavily on the mind — however patience is exactly what’s required waiting for optimum ripeness to harvest fruit perfectly poised on the edge."
Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…
5 Stars Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, March 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"The Boneline Ampitheatre Cabernet Franc 2019 is a remarkable cabernet franc with ripe, dark berry, black-fleshed plum, violet, mixed spice and a smattering of fresh herb flavours. It’s a lively, high-energy red that grabs your attention now but promises to be even more seductive with bottle age."
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"The highly impressive 2019 vintage was hand-harvested from estate-grown, 30 year-old vines and matured in French oak casks (16 per cent new). Deeply coloured, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with highly concentrated, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, oak complexity, supple tannins, and the density and structure to mature well over the long haul. Best drinking 2024+. (The 2016, 2018 and 2019 vintages have all been of eye-catching quality.)"
Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, March 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"An enticing bouquet with aromas of violets and stones, plum skin and blackberry, light brown baking spices and a silty mineral core. On the palate – firm youthful textures from tannins and acidity give way to a core of varietal fruit flavours that reflect the nose then green olive and tobacco. Baking spices and earthy soil layers chime in adding length and breadth. A lovely example, perfect for food and cheeses. Best drinking upon purchase and through 2028."