Today’s lunchtime tipple. We thought we had better re-acquaint ourselves with this, as we have a few bottles left, and it has got some good age to it now.
Best’s Wines is a relatively small, family-owned winery located in Great Western (over the road from Seppelt) and has been in the Thomson family since 1920. For the past 50 vintages, fourth-generation vintner Viv Thompson has been in charge of crafting Best’s wines, taking the “best” of modern innovation and blending it with tradition to arrive at wonderfully balanced and distinct Aussie wines. Best’s is now run by Viv’s son, Ben Thomson, the fifth generation of the Thomson family.
The headquarters of Best’s is located at “Concongella”, very close to the Great Western and “ Salvation Hills at Rhymney. The unique terroir at Great Western contributes to the success of Best’s – the land along the Concongella creek is flat with powdery loam overlaying a deep clay sub-soil, while newer plantings are sited on frost-free hills. A long, slow-ripening period and continental climate are characteristics of Great Western. Wines under the Great Western label are produced from grapes grown on Best’s Great Western estates.
Best’s Great Western Cabernet Franc is sourced from the Concongella vineyard. It has a reddish / brown colour with a really minty, eucalyptus nose, some leafy and spicy notes. The palate is predominantly red fruit with some spicy, peppery notes and some green, leafy characteristics typical of Cabernet Franc. The palate is soft, smooth, but perhaps a little short. It is in pretty good shape for a 12 year old Cabernet Franc. Serve it lightly chilled, perhaps after 20 to 30 minutes in the fridge, and let it warm up in the glass.
Best’s Great Western Cabernet Franc Food & Wine match
Can be served lightly chilled with grilled lamb and eggplant, roasted tomatoes and lots of garlic. Also good with a range of foods from pasta to grilled red meat.
Best’s Wines are no longer available in the UK. If you like Cabernet Franc, here are four great alternative options for Cabernet Franc:
Marc Bredif Chinon, Domaines de Ladoucette
Domaine du Changeon Bourgueil Les Compagnons
