Fresh cigar, dark red fruits, and clove all waft out of the glass. Cherry pie elements mix with sauteed sage and olive tapenade on the palate creating a combination that is both fruit forward and savory. Velvety tannins make for a smooth texture and long finish that echoes clove, cigar, and dark fruit.

This Cabernet Franc grows in the rocky soils near the scraggly oak trees at the Bavarian Lion Vineyard in Knights Valley. A very warm climate near Calistoga, the stressful growing conditions lead to smaller, more intensely flavored and colored fruit. Making this wine is all about respecting the time it takes to get it perfectly ripe, which is a long time with Franc from this vineyard! Equally important are the barrel selections which are chosen to enhance the natural velvety tannins and interesting spice components.