David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2022
Depth, structure, bold fruit and suave, juicy tannins – all bolstered with classy wood regimen – make for unmistakable quality. Bottled with minimal filtration and no fining to maintain the wine’s fine structure. This is as non- interventionist as he could manage. The fruit is pure and very expressive, and challenges the notion that this grape should be used for blending.
95 Points – Platter’s South African Wine Guide
“This is a very pleasant wine that drinks beautifully and without pretense. The David Finlayson 2022 Stellenbosch Camino Africana Cabernet Franc is not full-bodied, but it does offer enough intensity for grilled meats and does not fatigue the palate. In fact, it welcomes glass after glass. It shows dark fruit, pencil shavings and black rose. The wine is fundamentally gastronomic. Fruit comes from old vines in Somerset West, and only 4,000 bottles were made.”
93 Points – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
“A light note of aniseed, followed by herbs, shapes the nose of this Cabernet Franc from old vines in Stellenbosch. Smooth tannins support berry flavors, highlighted by hints of cocoa beans and eucalyptus. ”
90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
89 Points – The Wine Spectator
89 Points – Vinous
David has never been terribly fond of this grape and it wasn’t until he was given the opportunity to work with this particular old vineyard, that he decided to make a single vineyard Cab Franc. The grapes come from a really old vineyard, planted on an ancient seabed in the Helderberg Basin, near the town of Somerset West – facing the ocean. The soils reminded David very much of the Graves region in Bordeaux, suggesting the potential to make a serious wine. The Camino Africana project, is one that seeks to celebrate and even immortalize older vineyards that are special – this one of no exeception. Threatened by persistent urban encroachment, it is in fact one of the last last remaining vineyards of any sort within this fully developed community. Trying to make a wine from a struggling vineyard, in a non-interventionist manner requires that the winemaker resist the temptation to “help it along”. In his search for special and undiscovered vineyard sites, this truly ranks among David’s most unique discoveries and challenges. Depth, structure, bold fruit and suave, juicy tannins – all bolstered with classy wood regimen make for unmistakable quality.
