Winemaker Notes
This was made from entirely destemmed fruit, with concurrent fermentation and maceration, with just a light pump-over to wet the cap. The nose is all cherry liqueur and strawberry, with a twist of soot and liquorice. The palate carries delightfully supple fruit, but with a very pure acid-bound structure, delicately framed, delicious, supple and yet also energetic. This is a superb entry-level cuvée.
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.
Marked by great châteaux built with the same tuffeau limestone that is also responsible for the excavation of so many of the famed Loire caves, Saumur is famous for its Chenin blanc based sparkling wines. Inside the Saumur region, Saumur-Champigny creates some of the Loire’s greatest Cabernet Francs.