2025 Van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc

The 2025 Breton is 100% Cabernet Franc grown on granite soils in Stellenbosch, matured 40% in concrete and 60% in 500-litre French oak. It has an intense nose that could not be anything but Cabernet Franc. Bell pepper and curry leaf infuse the red berry fruit, with just a touch of dried blood in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well balanced, uncompromising in a positive way. Very long in the mouth. I would give this several years in bottle if you can. 95 points

To make great Cabernet Franc, you need to know what great Cabernet Franc tastes like, and that’s certainly the case with Lukas van Loggerenberg. This is a 70/30 blend from Pierre Winshaw’s farm and Bluegum Grove and is a Loire-meets-Bordeaux-meets-the-Cape style with floral graphite and fresh parsley aromas, racy black cherry, paprika and vanilla spice flavours, lots of energy and beautifully manicured tannins. 96 points