A fairly hard-to-find wine – Paritua generally make it for the Hawke’s Bay Charity Auction, with some also set aside for Wine Club members… so not something you’re likely to stumble upon in your local bottle shop. A dark burgundy red in the glass, with a distinctively varietal aroma of Cabernet Franc. The nose is filled with smoky tobacco, balsamic, bramble, plum, moss and autumn leaves, with a floral lift of violets. Mid-weight, with some muscle, but very intricate and open through the palate. A grip of tannin is there in the background, and juicy acidity adds to the balance. Some herbal, almost ‘negroni’ bitters to the back of the palate, before a long, smooth finish. 94pts
Paritua Platinum Cabernet Franc 2015
