Hickinbotham 'The Nest' Cabernet Franc 2018

Shit the nest! Second release of a straight Cab Franc from Hickinbotham, and it's a beauty. Ripe dark raspberry, pencils and fine spicy biscuit oak, good perfume, a smattering of sweet dusty herbs and mint. It's packing in plenty of ripe red and black fruit, roasted red pepper, feels supple and firm at once, and has a great sense of energy too. It's succulent yet controlled. It lays on the charm and doesn't let go. Of all the 2018 Hickinbotham releases, this is the wine that speaks to me most clearly. It's exceptional. 96 Points | Gary Walsh, Wine Front.