2022 La Ferme de Sato Sous Bois Cabernet Franc

"Sous Bois" translates to "Forest Undergrowth", which is reminiscent of the earthy, savoury characters that present in Cabernet Franc grown on the Sato home vineyard.

It's a rarity to see this variety in Central Otago - a region dominated by Pinot Noir - but on the North-Northeast facing slope of Block Four of Kyoko and Yoshi Sato's vineyard, it gets to perfect ripeness.

As with all Sato wines, there's an elegance and freshness to this wine that harks back to something old world. It's very, very good.

96 points
"Subtle and focused with precise blackberry, walnut, bark and mushroom character on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, it’s linear and lightly chewy, giving this length and tension. So fascinating to taste and think about. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling