Ghost in the Machine Cabernet Franc 2024

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby with a garnet edge, consistent with older French barrel maturation. The nose is layered and specific. Concentrated bramble and ripe raspberry lead, followed by a core of black cherry and blackcurrant. Behind the fruit, Christmas pudding spice signals the 20-month barrel programme. A distinctive herbal thread runs throughout: green bell pepper, dried thyme and a hint of tobacco leaf. This is the Cabernet Franc signature and it is present from the first pour. The palate entry is medium in weight with soft, rounded tannins that dissolve cleanly into the mid-palate. The 15% Grenache contribution is felt here; a juicy, fruit-forward quality that lifts the mid-palate and adds freshness to what could otherwise be a stern, angular wine. Dark cherry, black plum and leather carry through the centre. A thread of vanilla and clove from the older French oak adds structure without flavour dominance. The finish is persistent. Tobacco, dried herb, black fruit skin and a mineral trace linger for 35 to 40 seconds. The defining quality of this wine is the precision of its savoury character. The green pepper and herb notes are specific, structured and intentional — not a flaw, as they sometimes read in less controlled Cabernet Franc, but the point of the wine.

Food Pairing

The herbal and spice profile of Cabernet Franc points to specific food matches rather than broad categories. Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic is the most precise structural match. The herb notes in the wine mirror the seasoning directly. Duck confit, mushroom-based dishes and beef fillet with a pepper sauce all work alongside a glass. The 15% Grenache gives the mid-palate enough fruit generosity to hold beside dishes with moderate spice. Hard aged cheeses, particularly those with a savoury, nutty character, sit well with a glass poured at the end of a meal. For a Nairobi dinner where the main course is a roast or a carefully prepared protein, this is the wine that rewards attention. Serve at 16 to 18°C. A 20-minute decant will open the herbal complexity fully.

What You Need to Know

What does Cabernet Franc taste like — how is it different from Cabernet Sauvignon?

Cabernet Franc is lighter in body, softer in tannin and more aromatic than Cabernet Sauvignon. The defining characteristic is a herbal and savoury edge — green bell pepper, dried herbs and tobacco that Cabernet Sauvignon does not produce at the same intensity.

Is the green pepper note in Cabernet Franc a flaw?

No. It is a naturally occurring aromatic compound called pyrazine, produced by the grape variety itself, and it is considered a signature characteristic of well-grown Cabernet Franc from cool or high-altitude sites. In this wine it is specific, structured and intentional.

What does wild yeast fermentation mean — and does it make a difference in the glass?

Wild fermentation uses naturally occurring yeasts from the vineyard and cellar rather than commercial yeast strains. It is slower, less predictable and produces more aromatic complexity. The difference in the glass is a more layered, specific nose that commercial yeast fermentation rarely achieves.

What does “no fining” mean on the label?

Fining is a process where agents such as egg white, bentonite or isinglass are added to the wine to clarify it before bottling. No fining means none of those agents were used. The wine goes to bottle with its natural tannins and proteins intact, which preserves texture and flavour.

Should I decant this before serving?

Yes. Twenty minutes in a decanter will open the herbal and spice notes significantly. The wine drinks well without decanting but rewards the extra step at a dinner table.

What food pairs best with this bottle?

Roast lamb with rosemary is the most precise match — the herbs in the wine mirror the seasoning directly. Duck confit, mushroom-based dishes and beef fillet with a pepper sauce all work alongside a glass.

What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?

Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.

Where can I buy Ghost in the Machine Cabernet Franc in Nairobi?

Orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same-day deliveryin Nairobi, typically completed within a 1-hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24–48 hours.