CASE PRICING = $25.99 per bottle (12 bottle minimum purchase)
Notes from the Winemaker:This regal Cabernet Franc is composed of 84% Cabernet Franc from Cordon Grove, Dwelley, Sagemoor and Weinbau Vineyards. The 16% Merlot addition came from Cordon Grove, Killian and Spring Creek Vineyards. This impressive blend has a fruitcake, black walnut nose, a mid-palate of creamy butterscotch surrounded by sweet tobacco and a gripping finish of a Fran's chocolate caramel sprinkled with sea salt. It cries out for ratatouille with roasted sweet peppers and garlic, grilled Walla Walla Sweets, eggplant, ripe Roma tomatoes, vintage olive oil, herbs de Provence, sea salt, and black pepper simmered together until reduced to a melted perfection. Toss with Penne and Nicoise olives. Order early before the word gets out!
Ratings / Reviews:
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 90 Points:
"This will surprise some lovers of chewy, tannic, earthy Cabernet Franc, because it is rather light in color, sweetly fruity and loaded with fresh strawberries—really ripe strawberries. It has none of the raspy tannins so often found with the grape. A thoughtful addition of Merlot helps broaden the midpalate." - P.G. (11/1/2009)
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 92 Points & Editor's Choice ('05 vintage):
"Cab Franc is often chewy, tannic, herbal, but rarely luscious, as it is here. The addition of 12% Merlot softens up the middle, but the Franc is the show, with a dazzling display of blueberry, boysenberry, raspberry, coffee, tobacco leaf, lead pencil and more." - P.G. (12/1/2008)
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 91 Points ('05 vintage)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The crimson-colored 2007 Cabernet Franc exhibits a fragrant nose of cedar, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and black cherry. Medium-bodied and savory, this flavorful, forward effort can be enjoyed over the next 6 years.
Myles Anderson and Gordon Venneri founded Walla Walla Vintners in 1995, the 8th winery in the Valley (now there are over 100). The winery has 18 acres planted with another 11 to come. Current production is about 6000 cases." - Jay Miller (10/2009)
Seattle Magazine, April 2010:"Best” Cabernet Franc over $20.00 for “The Best WA Wines for 2010”
Seattle Magazine, June 2009:"Double Gold Award"
Wine Spectator Magazine - 90 Points ('04 vintage):"Smooth and round, aromatic with floral plum and berry flavors, blossoming nicely as the wine streams over the tongue, finishing with the mocha notes of sweet oak. Drink now through 2011. 801 cases made." -HS (6/15/2006)
