Beringer Third Century Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc 1996

Third Century is a special limited bottling to commemorate Beringer winemaking that spans three centuries in the Napa Valley from the 19th century when the Beringer Brothers winery was founded to the 21st century as of January 1, 2000. Winemaster Ed Sbragia created this wine from carefully selected Cabernet Franc grapes grown in our Howell Mountain vineyards, well known for producing our Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. "There is an inevitable focus on Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley because of the intense flavors and beautiful, tightly knit structure we're able to achieve here with that grape. But I've been fascinated with the idea of bottling separately the wines I make with the complex, aromatic Cabernet Franc grape, which has achieved such stunning flavors in Cheval Blanc. The same Howell Mountain vineyards that give me great Cabernet Sauvignon produce great Cabernet Franc as well. The grapes yield a dense, deep wine with an immediate, mouth-filling hit of dark berry fruits backed by more subtle layers of cedary spices. And there's an amazing length to the finish that's typical of the Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc-the reason I always add a little to my Private Reserve Cabernet. The firm structure promises considerable longevity for this wine, appropriate for celebrating our third century of winemaking at Beringer well into the next decade." -Winemaster, Ed Sbragia