Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

"Ferngrove's reds typically reveal penetrative and pristine flavours framed by fine, dusty tannins. There's not a single over-ripe or soupy red in sight... Ferngrove's philosophy has been to over-deliver on quality at every price-point."  Jeremy Oliver

Ferngrove Wines is located in the picturesque Frankland River wine sub-region of Great Southern. Established in 1998 by Murray Burton, it is one of the world’s most isolated wine estates but was chosen for its favourable viticultural location 90km from the coast. 

"Lovely balance and poise. This wine reeks of class. The nose has red fruits, but has more of the sour cherry aromas. The palate is very complete, with superb fruit in evidence. The oak is a touch dominant now as are the slightly chalky tannins, but time is all that is needed for this to shine. The best value wine here!"  Barry Weinman

"Dark crimson colour; on the nose complex, yet distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics of mulberry and blackberry; a long and powerful palate, textured with dark plum and blackberry, cedary French oak and layered tannin; will benefit from up to 10 years careful cellaring."  Ferngrove

Expert reviews

"Lovely balance and poise. This wine reeks of class. The nose has red fruits, but has more of the sour cherry aromas. The palate is very complete, with superb fruit in evidence. The oak is a touch dominant now as are the slightly chalky tannins, but time is all that is needed for this to shine. The best value wine here!"  Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club - 18.5/20 points

"Ferngrove Estate Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon surely has to be the best value cabernet to come out of Western Australia – a bold statement considering the state is home to some of the finest cabernets that Australia produces. The 2009 vintage in the Frankland River is destined to be one of the great vintages with almost perfect growing conditions and the new release Majestic showcases all the vintage attributes. 

The first thing that attracts you is the magnificent dark crimson/vivid purple colour; then the wonderful bouquet of berries, lifted cedar and anise characters which leaps out of the glass at you; but it is the multi-layered palate with its great structure, length and finesse that is the best of all - ripe plum and blackcurrants harmoniously integrated with high quality French oak and finishing with mouth-watering acids and fine, silky tannins. Precisely articulated cabernet expression. Wonderful drinking now, but will be something very special if left in the cellar for a few years."  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 95 points and Special Value Wine  ★

"Stylish, elegant, finely balanced and tightly focused, this dense, youthful and briary cabernet has a heady bouquet of cassis, blackberries, violets and dark chocolates backed by scents of cedar, vanilla and turned earth. It’s firm but smooth, with intense primary fruit and smoky oak overlying suggestions of mocha and graphite, finishing long and willowy, with nuances of dried herbs. Likely to become smoky and cigarboxy with time. Drink 2021-2029+."  Jeremy Oliver – 93 points

"The Frankland River district can produce beautifully delicate red wine styles, and this cabernet has a few more savoury edges than many, starting quite perfumed and while the fruit is ripe with typical blackberry flavour this wine has a poised, medium to fuller bodied weight, some flesh on the palate, and finishes well. It's very likeable and will open up with air and years."  Tony Love, Daily Telegraph ★★★★

Frankland River

The Great Southern wine region of Western Australia is the most ancient, most isolated and largest wine region in the world. The region is up to 2.8 billion years old and covers over 1.7 million hectares, a whopping 200 kilometres from east to west and 100km from north to south. Since the Nyittiny – creation times – our First Nations people of the Wagyl Kaip region have shared and cared for this Great Southern country.

Great Southern time is a place of dramatic contrasts - striking tall timber forests, swathes of rich agricultural land, imposing mountain ranges, dramatic peaks and ancient rivers. Due to its vast size and spread, it features not only different terroirs but climates that vary from the Mediterranean through to the maritime, resulting in unique wines that reflect their natural surroundings. From this diversity a wine region of international significance and reputation has emerged – the pristine Great Southern wine region.

The region is divided into five distinct sub-regions, each producing wine styles that reflect their unique terroir. The sub-regions are Porongurup, Frankland River, Mount Barker, Denmark and Albany - refer to the map below.

Frankland River sub-region

Frankland River wine, one of Western Australia’s best-kept secrets, is located approximately 360 kilometers south of Perth and lies 80 kilometers inland from the coast. Home to rolling hills, rich farming land and natural forest abounding with native wildflowers, it is named after the river which bisects it and the town at its center. Frankland River is the highest of the Great Southern sub-regions, with most vineyards sitting between 150 to 300 meters above sea level. With 1,600 hectares of vines planted, it is also the most prolific of the five sub-regions.

Frankland River is home to some of the oldest vines in Western Australia, with the first modern-day vineyards planted in 1967 on a property owned by the Roche family of Perth. This vineyard is now owned by Houghton and supplies them with some ultra-premium grapes. Three years later, in 1971, Merv and Judy Lange began planting vines on their Alkoomi property.

Today, there are six wineries located in the sub-region – Frankland Estate, Alkoomi, Swinney, Ferngrove, Lange Estate and Three Elms. In addition, many of Western Australia's iconic wineries source fruit from the area for their wines. Frankland River is home to plantings of all the traditional Australian grape varieties, however, it is internationally best recognised for producing premium cool climate Shiraz and Riesling. Is one of the State’s most successful wine producing regions and its impressive wine show success is testament to the quality of its vineyards and wines.

Frankland River has a true Mediterranean climate, with cool nights and warm days with long sunlight hours. Despite being 80 km inland, a moderating sea breeze from the Southern Ocean finds its way into the region and is a significant boon to local vineyards. In Albany, the equivalent wind is known as the 'Albany Doctor', after the more famous 'Fremantle Doctor' which cools the baked vineyards of the Swan District near Perth. The sea breeze, together with the elevation of the vineyards, create a long, slow ripening season that give the wines intensity of fruit, finesse, freshness and longevity. 

Frankland River's soils and topography consist of significant alluvial features. Ironstone-based gravel soils derived from granitic outcrops line the river valleys and rolling hills. These rich, red ironstone gravels often impart a unique flavour to the wines.

Frankland River is one of the five sub-regions of Great Southern

About the winery