Winemaker Notes
Exceptional terroir quality inspired this limited production. The Cabernet Franc grapes came from a single terroir of limestone. A delicate nose of strawberry, raspberry and cola leads to mild red-fruit and black pepper notes on the palate. This complex red wine features a tight grain for a very slow release of tannins into the wine.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2020 Domaine LeSeurre CABERNET FRANC Barrel Select shows a medium ruby color; reveals gentle aromas of dark cherries with a subtle shading of oak; is nicely balanced and composed; is medium-bodied, gliding seamlessly across the palate; has lively tart cherry flavors; and has a crisp, finely tuned finish with a touch of elegance. The roasted beets with goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and a light balsamic glaze make an ideal pairing, as the earthy sweetness of the beets mirrors the wine’s cool-climate character, while the tangy goat cheese complements its bright acidity; walnuts add a subtle textural depth that echoes the wine’s gentle oak influence, and the balsamic glaze ties it all together by accentuating the tart cherry flavors, creating a seamless interplay between dish and wine. (Tasted: April 8, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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.
As the most historic wine-producing region in New York state, winemaking in the Finger Lakes area dates back to the 1820s and today as a region, accounts for 90% of the state’s total wine production.
Its narrow and deep lakes created by the movement of Ice Age glaciers create an environment similar to the classic Riesling-loving regions of Europe, namely Germany and Austria. The Finger Lakes retain summer heat that incidentally warms up cold winter air, making it fall down from the lakes’ steep slopes. When spring comes, the lakes, already cooled by cold winter weather, stave off vine budding until the danger of frost has subsided. The main lakes of the zone, that is those big enough to moderate the climate in this way, are the focal points of prime vineyard areas. They include Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga.
While Riesling has fueled most of the region’s success, today Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc enjoy some attention.