Cabernet Franc, Anthonij Rupert, Franschhoek, ZA, 2019

Professional critic reviews (2019 vintage)

Wine.co.za tasting note (estate + trade review)

• Aromatics: Christmas pudding spice, dried flowers, herbs, liquorice, dark chocolate, blueberry, earthy tones
• Palate: rich, smooth entry with dark fruit, cocoa, tobacco, integrated oak
• Structure: fine tannins, polished but firm backbone
• Finish: long, layered, elegant
• Style summary: full-bodied, structured, cellar-worthy

Key takeaway: this is described as a serious, structured Cabernet Franc with both power and finesse, rather than a light Loire-style expression.
Source: wine.co.za (Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Franc 2019 listing)

Independent aggregated ratings (Vivino community)

• Average user rating: approximately 4.2 / 5
• Common descriptors:
  • oak, tobacco, vanilla
  • blackberry, blueberry, black fruit
  • earth, leather, cocoa
• Profile consensus:
  • well-structured, dense, long finish
  • noticeable oak integration and spice complexity
    Source: Vivino user aggregate reviews for Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Franc 2019

Technical / winemaking context

• 100% Cabernet Franc from Franschhoek
• Alcohol: approximately 14–14.5%
• Aged around 18–24 months in French oak, including a proportion of new oak
• Small production (estate notes indicate very limited barrel selection for this wine)

cross trade and critic-style notes, the 2019 is typically positioned as:

• Premium South African Cabernet Franc
• Stylistically closer to Right Bank Bordeaux structure than Loire Valley lightness
• Emphasis on dark fruit concentration, herbal complexity, and firm but refined tannins
• Built for aging, commonly considered suitable for 8–15+ years depending on storage conditions

Overall consensus

Strengths:

• Concentrated fruit profile
• Well-managed, integrated oak
• Strong structure and aging potential
• Layered complexity (fruit, spice, herbal notes)

Common critiques:

• Can show oak prominence in youth
• Less varietal “green/leafy” Loire-style character
• More structured and modern in style than traditional Cabernet Franc expressions