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Notes from the Winemaker:When we began our exploration of Cabernet Franc we set out with the goal to present a wine that was ‘true to type’, or in wine-speak, a wine that showed ‘typicity’ – boldly saying ‘Cabernet Franc’! Our exploration, in progress for over a decade, brings us to the rows of many vineyards in very diverse growing conditions. For six vintages we have been focused a little north of us [north of Napa Valley that is] in the hills of Lake County. We have been working with vineyards ‘up’ in Lake County long enough to have found growers who are passionate in providing us with the grapes we need to help express our Cabernet Franc vision.
The 2008 is an assemblage of four vineyards, one located in the heart of the Napa Valley and three from the northern reaches of Lake County, though only a small percent, the Stanton Vineyard in Oakville, provides the Napa Valley continuity in this wine, that bright crisp cherry aroma and flavor component. The High Chaparral Vineyard is located high up in the real red hills of Lake County just north of Kelseyville. High Chaparral was planted back in the 70’s and is the only Cabernet Franc vineyard we know of that is planted on its own roots, a true Franc de Pied, which provides a deep structure and tannin to the wine. Also above the 2,000ft elevation in the High Valley appellation of Lake County lie the Cross Springs Vineyard and La Sierra Vineyard. The grapes from these vineyards provided us with an exciting facet in our goal to express ‘typicity’ in our North Coast bottling.
Production Statistics:
Varietal Composition 100% Cabernet Franc,
95% Lake County, 5% Napa Valley
Appellation: La Sierra, High Valley, Lake County
Vineyards: Cross Springs Vineyard
Lake County High Chaparral, Lake County
Stanton Vineyard, Oakville
Alcohol Content: 3.9% by Volume
Total Acidity: 0.53gm/100ml
pH: 3.90
Cooperage 9 months, 60-gallon French Oak
Case Production: 3,086 cases
Bottling Date: August 2009
Label Design: Jeanne Greco, Caffe Greco Design
What Does It Taste Like?
Bright, clear and brilliant deep red color with youthful violet on the edge, the aromatics of this wine are a little darker than previous vintages with black cherry, plum, sage and herbs de Provence overlaid with a touch of cedar and tobacco scents. The richness of this wine is very evident upon washing over the pallet exposing deep black cherry, ripe plum and a slight grip of balancing tannins. A little more structured than an easy quaffer, this wine has some legs for aging and good drinking.
"This lively, fruit-focused wine recalls the comparatively lighter Cabernet Francs of France's Loire Valley, and, while very much showing a touch of the brushy, dried-leaf qualities often found from the grape, it holds tannin in check and smacks of cherry-like fruit from beginning to end. A few years of age should find it in top form, but it will make a pleasurable partner to steaks and chops even now." (05/09)
