Sam Harrop Grand Amateur Merchant Hawkes Bay Cabernet Franc 2018 $39.99
Strap yourself in and steady yourself to collide with blackcurrant aromatics of locomotive proportions. This cabernet franc by local Master of Wine Sam Harrop, injects that hyper-fruity intensity onto the palate as well and shows exactly why this grape is so often used to flesh-out and sweeten up rather more rugged Bordeaux-style blends. I love the purity and litheness of this wine, it’s raspberry-edged finish and beautifully grainy texture and I’m a huge fan of how versatile it is with food. Porcini and parmesan-stuffed lamb shoulder? Stop it! Drink now – 2028
