'Sous Bois' is Sato's domaine-grown Cabernet Franc, and is always a delight.
While big and ripe - bursting with dark red fruit, cacao and coffee - it's also restrained and stark in finish, juicy and mineral.
Decant and drink now, would also reward further cellaring.
Winemaking notes:
Vineyard
Sato Pisa Vineyard
Soil
Alluvial, sandy or silt loam with schist and quartz gravel
Varietal
Cabernet Franc
Viticulture
No pesticides, herbicides, systemic fungicides or inorganic fertiliser used
Harvest
Hand-picked. 24 April 2021. 35 hl/ha
Vinification
Natural yeast fermentation. All destemmed. 26 days on skins. No additives except for 15 mg/L sulphites before bottling.
Maturation
17 months in old French oak barrels.
Bottling
8 November 2022 without fining or filtration.
Winemaking Style: Progressive
How it drinks: Rich, Juicy, and Powerful
Grape Variety(ies): Cabernet Franc
Region: Central Otago
Country: New Zealand
Alc %: %
Certifications or Accreditations: