Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve 2021

A subtly fragrant aromatic wine with mulberries, blackberries and raspberry leaf prevalent on the nose giving way to lavender and spice notes with just a whiff of tarragon on the palate. Enchanting red fruit nose. 

Rich and elegant wine with predominant cassis and dark berries with red fruit notes on top. Well balanced savoury flavours with good volume and a mineral aftertaste. Wood is well integrated. Oodles of richness and tension with a long finish. Harvested in the first week of April 2021 compared with 19th to 24th March for the 2020 vintage. A mix of stainless steel tank and barrel fermented using wild yeast before 22 months of maturation in a selection of French oak barrels. Selected bunches from our cabernet franc vineyard were berry sorted before a 5 day cold soak. Berries were transferred to a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels (60% new) and allowed to ferment slowly using wild yeast at low temperatures. Post fermentation maturation of 41 days. This wine consists of mainly free run juice with some juice from the heart of the press. The wine will continue to develop in bottle over the next 7-10 years. Limited production of 121 x 1.5l magnums and 2913 x 750ml bottles. Bottled 10 May 2023.