Winemaker Notes
The 2023 vintage opens with a lifted, floral bouquet of dried rose petal, ripe red cherry, and black currant, underscored by subtle graphite and pencil-shaving minerality. Aromas of tomato leaf, Asian spices, toasted thyme, and hints of soy, licorice, and anise add complexity and intrigue. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet graceful, with a round, unctuous texture and polished, smooth tannins. Brooding, layered flavors of dark and red fruits intertwine with nuanced spice and savory notes, building to an exceptionally long, lingering finish. Elegant and structured, this Cabernet Franc is both approachable in youth and rewarding with bottle age.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.