Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2023

Ridgeback Wines is situated on the northern slopes of the Paarl Mountain in the Western Cape, where warm days, cooling afternoon breezes and well-drained soils help produce grapes with concentration and freshness. Established in the late 1990s, the estate has built a reputation for producing expressive, site-driven wines that balance fruit purity with structure. The estate’s vineyards are managed with a focus on quality over quantity, allowing each variety to reflect its growing conditions. Cabernet Franc has become an increasingly important variety in South Africa, and Ridgeback’s interpretation highlights the grape’s natural perfume, savoury complexity and elegance while remaining firmly rooted in Paarl’s generous fruit profile.

Colour: Deep ruby red with youthful purple flashes towards the rim.
Nose: Aromatic and inviting, showing ripe black cherries, plum and redcurrant alongside notes of dried herbs, graphite, violets and subtle cedar spice from oak maturation.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied with a generous core of dark berry fruit supported by fine-grained tannins. Layers of black cherry, cassis and plum are complemented by savoury herbal nuances, gentle spice and a touch of pencil-shaving complexity. The acidity provides freshness and keeps the wine focused and balanced.
Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, dried herbs and subtle oak spice carrying through the finish.