The Islander Estate Vineyards
The Investigator Kangaroo Island Cabernet Franc
Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
See previous notes. My last bottle - purchased at the winery on Kangaroo Island. 100% Cabernet Franc. Herbs , Tea leaves, Charcoal, Black, fruits, a touch of caramel oak. Quite a full bodied opulent wine showing those black fruits. A product of the warm 2008 vintage in South Australia. A classy wine balancing the ripe fruit with the right amount of oak treatment. Very polished as you would expect from a $150 wine. Shows Jaques Lurton’s (Cheval Blanc) experience with the Cabernet Franc grape.
See previous notes. My last bottle - purchased at the winery on Kangaroo Island. 100% Cabernet Franc. Herbs , Tea leaves, Charcoal, Black, fruits, a touch of caramel oak. Quite a full bodied opulent wine showing those black fruits. A product of the warm 2008 vintage in South Australia. A classy wine balancing the ripe fruit with the right amount of oak treatment. Very polished as you would expect from a $150 wine. Shows Jaques Lurton’s (Cheval Blanc) experience with the Cabernet Franc grape.
Jun 29th, 2022See previous notes for this cuvée and vintage 76 weeks ago An unlikely venture on Kangaroo Island SA owned by Jacques Lurton of Cheval Blanc fame. The Lurton family own vineyards around the world. This is 100% Cabernet Franc. Herbal tea leaf like notes which belie the sweetish medium weight palate. Red Currant with mild resolved tannins. Overall very pleasing and ready to drink.
See previous notes for this cuvée and vintage 76 weeks ago An unlikely venture on Kangaroo Island SA owned by Jacques Lurton of Cheval Blanc fame. The Lurton family own vineyards around the world. This is 100% Cabernet Franc. Herbal tea leaf like notes which belie the sweetish medium weight palate. Red Currant with mild resolved tannins. Overall very pleasing and ready to drink.
Oct 29th, 2020Mid to Deep Crimson in colour. Aromas of menthol, tobacco and ash notes together with black tea and after an hour in the decanter- violets. Not often one has a Cabernet Franc of this quality made in Australia. Made at The Islander on Kangaroo Island which is owned by Jacques Lurton and family, owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc so they know a bit about Cab Franc!! Jancis Robinson describes Cheval Blanc as “the world’s grandest Cabernet Franc dominated wine” Visited The Islander there 4 years ago and had a tour with the Colorado winemaker. A semi-maritime climate - very dry so that a limited need for pesticides. In summary a very polished wine and the best Cab Franc I’ve had outside the Right Bank or Loire Valley.
Mid to Deep Crimson in colour. Aromas of menthol, tobacco and ash notes together with black tea and after an hour in the decanter- violets. Not often one has a Cabernet Franc of this quality made in Australia. Made at The Islander on Kangaroo Island which is owned by Jacques Lurton and family, owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc so they know a bit about Cab Franc!! Jancis Robinson describes Cheval Blanc as “the world’s grandest Cabernet Franc dominated wine” Visited The Islander there 4 years ago and had a tour with the Colorado winemaker. A semi-maritime climate - very dry so that a limited need for pesticides. In summary a very polished wine and the best Cab Franc I’ve had outside the Right Bank or Loire Valley.
Mar 28th, 2020The Islander Estate is the Australian venture of Jacques Lurton and the Lurton Family owner of Right Bank icon Chateau Cheval Blanc. Appropriately this wine is 100% Cabernet Franc - a varietal they would know well. The Investigator is their premium Cuvée from the warm 2008 vintage on Kangaroo Island and SA generally. Very aromatic with a touch of vanilla/caramel (oak) amongst the dark berry aromas. On the palate smooth and pliant medium to full bodied finishing wth fine powdery Tannins. A lovely wine - cool flavours with a touch of raspberry. A top quality straight Cabernet Franc - a style I don’t drink often.
The Islander Estate is the Australian venture of Jacques Lurton and the Lurton Family owner of Right Bank icon Chateau Cheval Blanc. Appropriately this wine is 100% Cabernet Franc - a varietal they would know well. The Investigator is their premium Cuvée from the warm 2008 vintage on Kangaroo Island and SA generally. Very aromatic with a touch of vanilla/caramel (oak) amongst the dark berry aromas. On the palate smooth and pliant medium to full bodied finishing wth fine powdery Tannins. A lovely wine - cool flavours with a touch of raspberry. A top quality straight Cabernet Franc - a style I don’t drink often.
May 14th, 201912 years young. Great structure and delicious fruit. Mid weight palate and lovely balance. The tannins are sexy and fine. A gorgeous Franc
12 years young. Great structure and delicious fruit. Mid weight palate and lovely balance. The tannins are sexy and fine. A gorgeous Franc
Jun 27th, 2018Kangaroo Island marooned! Premise of Bordeaux traveller Jacques Lurton; his 300 ha of KI bush and vineyard has tamed this cabernet franc (his cousin is found at Chateau Cheval Blanc); another property thriving from franc success; here the 2006 though 2005, 2008 also tasted; AUD 150 in many countries now; elegant and succulent #theislander #estatevineyards
Kangaroo Island marooned! Premise of Bordeaux traveller Jacques Lurton; his 300 ha of KI bush and vineyard has tamed this cabernet franc (his cousin is found at Chateau Cheval Blanc); another property thriving from franc success; here the 2006 though 2005, 2008 also tasted; AUD 150 in many countries now; elegant and succulent #theislander #estatevineyards
1 person found it helpfulOct 20th, 2014
Wanted to like it, but tasted a bit tired.
Wanted to like it, but tasted a bit tired.
Feb 6th, 2015Delicious. Great example of cab franc
Delicious. Great example of cab franc
Jan 28th, 2015
delicious. oak and fruit in perfect balance. 2006 was a great year.
delicious. oak and fruit in perfect balance. 2006 was a great year.
Dec 6th, 2014