The 2003 Cabernet Franc comes across as distinctively herbal, earthy, and disjointed with an overtly green character. Some of that will age out as herbaceousness tends to become more cedary with age, but blatant vegetal characteristics do not usually turn out well in dry red wine. Importer: Peter Click, Click Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (800) 859-0689

This wine’s pretty green. There’s celery seed and weed on the nose; red, tomato-y fruit on the palate gets a dose of green bean toward the finish. Imported by Click Wine Group. ——D.T.(8/1/2005)—— 83

Sadly, there are only 200 cases of the strikingly aromatic, complex 2000 Cabernet Franc. Its fragrant bouquet of spring flowers, vanilla, raspberries, and black currants is followed by a medium-bodied effort displaying intense, classic Cabernet Franc flavors. This stylish, perfumed, Bordeaux look-alike will provide sumptuous drinking over the next 5-7 years. A relatively young vineyard (planted in 1983) situated in the cool climate region of Adelaide Hills, Paracombe's wines are all aged in French and American oak (approximately one-third new), and are bottled unfiltered.Importer: Peter Click, Click Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (800) 859-0689

An immensely impressive 100% Cabernet Franc, the 1998, aged 12 months in both American and French oak, exhibits a graceful, stylish, perfumed, raspberry and cherry nose intermixed with flower and subtle wood aromas. Medium-weight, soft, charming, and delicate yet flavorful, it displays hints of underbrush intermixed with floral-infused red and black fruits on the palate. There are no hard edges in this seamless, understated, yet flavorful wine. It is an achievement to produce a wine of such elegance and delicacy that retains plenty of flavor and intensity. Drink it over the next 4-5 years, although it may last longer. Importer: Peter Click, Click Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (800) 859-0689