Winemaker Notes
A pristine medium-ruby color, the nose offers a beautiful example of Cab Franc’s savory, earthy dried herbs, roasted red pepper and graphite on top of bright red fruits.The palate reveals a medium-full body that dances between all the spicy aromas andfresh strawberry and red raspberry, celebrating California’s famous fruit all deftly heldby lively acidity and gentle tannins.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, & 2% addition of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
With 5% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon added in, this deep and inky red channels charred violets on the nose and palate: Unctuous and pungent, it’s threaded with dried rosemary and tarragon. Sweet, weighty notes of blueberry lean up against drying tannins as black pepper spikes the fruit and fine acidity keeps things fresh.
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James Suckling
This has plenty of berry and leaf aromas and delivers a crisp, succulent and juicy feel with ample, dark-fruit flavor. Drink now.
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.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.