Penley Francis Cabernet Franc Coonawarra 2022 750ml
Description
Penley Estate’s Francis Cabernet Franc represents a pioneering effort with this Loire Valley variety in Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soils. Named after Kym Tolley’s mother, Frances, this wine showcases how Cabernet Franc can express itself distinctively in Australia’s premier cool-climate region. The 2022 vintage opens with the variety’s characteristic aromatics beautifully expressed—violets and lavender perfume mingle with blackberry and raspberry, while distinctive notes of graphite, bell pepper, and dried herbs add complexity. There’s an elegance to the aromatics that immediately distinguishes Cabernet Franc from its more famous sibling.
The palate delivers both the variety’s inherent elegance and Coonawarra’s structural gifts. Red and black fruit flavors—raspberry, blackcurrant, and plum—are delivered with impressive purity, while the variety’s characteristic herbal notes add complexity without becoming green or vegetal. The tannins are fine-grained and beautifully integrated, providing structure that’s both present and refined. What’s particularly impressive is how well Cabernet Franc has adapted to Coonawarra’s terroir—the famous terra rossa contributes a mineral backbone and those subtle eucalyptus notes that mark the region, while the variety maintains its essential character.
Penley’s careful approach to this less common variety is evident in every aspect of the wine. The viticulture has been adapted to ensure optimal ripeness while maintaining the freshness that makes Cabernet Franc special, while the winemaking preserves the variety’s aromatic complexity. As the wine opens in the glass, additional layers emerge—tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, and that distinctive mineral quality. The finish is impressively long, with the variety’s characteristic herbal notes weaving through the fruit. This 2022 shows beautiful balance and approachability while having the structure to develop over the next decade. Perfect with lamb, duck, or mushroom dishes, Francis demonstrates that Coonawarra’s potential extends beyond Cabernet Sauvignon, producing distinctive expressions of other noble varieties that showcase both regional and varietal character.
- Producer
- Penley Estate
