Winery: Hawks Nest

Orchard Block is a blend of Cabernet Franc (62%) and Malbec (38%), made by winemaker John Worth
The wine has a bright dark purply red hue. The nose is berry-like with mainly savoury aromas of cedar and earth, tar and leather with a slight wiff of vanilla on the end. The berry component is that of plump red boysen berries.

Medium to full bodied, in the mouth this wine tastes like berryfruits with cedar, a touch of spice (cloves). The tannins are medium to finely textured, dry and dusty. The finish is cedary and spicy and it lingers for a long time. The 2007 vintage was a good vintage at Hawk’s Nest and that the Cabernet Franc grapes achieved a high level of ripeness. The wine spent 15 months in French oak, 40% new.

Food matches: A highly flavoured lamb roast with winter root vegetables (parsnips, butternut and beetroot). Hearty stews, hearty tomato and cheese based Italian cuisine.