Wantirna Estate ‘Hannah’ Cabernet Franc Merlot 2022

A special release wine of which only one barrel is made each year – making approximately 288 bottles per year. A blend of around 50% of each variety, the wine is aged in a new barrique from the Burgundian cooperage of Dargaud and Jaeglé. To capture the fragrance and perfume of the cabernet franc, and the mulberry character of the merlot, the recent wines have been bottled after 12 months in barrel. A further 15 months of bottle-aging occurs before the wine is released. 

First made from the 1999 harvest, the wine is inspired by the beautiful wines of St Emilion, in particular Chateau Cheval Blanc. The 2022 Hannah cabernet franc merlot is showing lovely intense cabernet franc character along with the softness of the merlot. Subtle with lovely fruit weight balanced with ripe tannins really give the backbone to these wines. The wine is aged for 11 months in one new French barrel, and has then been bottle aged for 18 months before release. A rather delicious blend of grapes. Just 288 bottles made.