Winemaker Notes
Try pairing with braised veal roast served with baby vegetables, tagliolini with breast of duck ragu or roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic over soft polenta.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve (it also has 10% Petit Verdot) was aged for 12 months in used wood of varying ages, most three to five years. It comes in at 13% alcohol. This is along the lines of the 2015, but it seems to have a bit more depth. It is not as good as the 2015 today—they are both unevolved, but the 2015 has had time to settle down a little—but this will eventually be the better of the duo, its mid-palate better able to counter the tannins. As with the 2015, this is more about black currant than green fruits. It is very well done and should have a long life ahead. It is a nice value.
Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine-producing world. Somm Secret—One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
Diversity of landscape, terrain and climate make Virginia one of the most exciting American wine producing states today. Its viticultural history reaches as far back as 1607 when early settlers made the first wine from indigenous American grapes.
Thomas Jefferson imported the first French varieties to Virginia and grew the Vitis vinifera species (the European species), though not with great success.
Today, however, increased knowledge and optimal vineyard management techniques bring prosperity with a great number of diverse varieties. Virginia’s varied landscape has created seven distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
Encouraged by an enthusiastic state government, fine wine production in Virginia continues to flourish. The state achieves success with a variety of wine types and styles including sparkling wines, Bordeaux Blends, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Viognier and less common whites like Petit Manseng and Vermentino.