Philip Shaw Small Batch Cabernet Franc 2023 from Orange, NSW is a fresh, lively cool‑climate red that keeps things fun while still delivering proper Cabernet Franc character from high‑altitude vineyards. It’s part of the Small Batch range, built for bright fruit, lift and early drinking rather than heavy oak and structure.

In the glass, Philip Shaw Small Batch Cabernet Franc 2023 shows redcurrant and red cherry backed by dark cherries, with a hint of strawberry jam and a savoury, gravelly edge beneath. Think blackberries, bilberries, splashes of red berries, a touch of juniper and sage leaf, plus gentle fig and clove notes adding complexity. The palate is medium‑bodied, juicy and moreish, with bright acidity and fine tannins making it gluggable yet nicely detailed.

Food‑wise, this Small Batch Cabernet Franc is a cracking match with charcuterie, grilled pork, herb‑roast chicken, tomato‑based pasta, mushroom pizza and mid‑week burgers, where its red‑fruit crunch and savoury herbs shine. It will also sit beautifully with semi‑hard cheeses and roasted vegetable dishes, making it a super‑versatile cool‑climate red for the fridge‑door shortlist.

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