Cabernet Blend 2012 – Black Market Deal #39173

This wine showcases the unique terroir of Frankland River's oldest vineyard blocks, where the cool climate allows for extended ripening and complex flavour development. The 20-month separate oak ageing of each varietal before blending creates layers of secondary characteristics like herbs, earthiness and cedar that you rarely find in younger wines. At over a decade old, it's hitting that sweet spot where primary fruit integrates beautifully with developed tertiary notes.

Frankland River is one of Western Australia's coolest wine regions, providing the long growing season essential for Cabernet Sauvignon and its blending partners to develop complexity while retaining natural acidity. The region's ancient soils and maritime influence create wines with distinctive mineral undertones and herbal characteristics. This terroir perfectly complements the structured tannins of Cabernet blends, allowing them to age gracefully and develop the secondary flavours this wine displays.

By ageing each varietal separately for 20 months, the winemaker allows each grape variety to develop its own character before blending - Cabernet Sauvignon gains structure and cassis notes, Cabernet Franc contributes herbaceous complexity, and Malbec adds colour and spice. This technique, common in premium Bordeaux production, ensures each component reaches optimal development before marriage. The final blend creates a more harmonious and complex wine than if the varieties were aged together from the start.

The wine's developed secondary characteristics of herbs, earthiness and cedar make it perfect for rich, savoury dishes like slow-cooked lamb with rosemary or aged beef with mushrooms. The medium body and integrated tannins won't overpower game meats or mature cheeses, while the black olive and mint notes complement Mediterranean flavours beautifully. The wine's complexity also pairs wonderfully with dishes featuring earthy elements like truffle or roasted root vegetables.

At 12 years old, this wine is absolutely in its prime drinking window, as confirmed by the description stating it's 'aged to perfection and ready to drink'. The integration of primary fruit with secondary and tertiary characteristics indicates optimal maturity, where the tannins have softened and the complex flavours are fully developed. While quality Cabernet blends can age for decades, this wine is showing beautifully now and represents the perfect balance between fruit freshness and aged complexity.