Winemaker Notes
Lighter in color and style compared to the 2015 vintage. Medium intensity with cranberry, raspberry, cracked pepper, dark cherry, and slight toastiness from oak. Soft earthy tannins are balanced perfectly with vibrant acidity. The combination of European and American oak adds layers of spicy flavors.Stuffed Bell Peppers, Pork Tenderloin, Ribs, Roast Beef, Chocolate Fondue.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in well-used French oak. It comes in at 13.3% alcohol. This puts it all together in most respects—concentration, structure and smooth, sensual texture. Powerfully built for such an inexpensive wine, it is also one in need of some time to develop. The one thing missing here is the expression of fruit. The olives aren't there. It doesn't have a lot of black fruits, either. Or, at least if they are, they are not rising above the wood just now (used wood—this is not drenched in vanilla). A year or two of cellaring may change that conclusion. Let's be a little conservative just now. A super value either way, this isn't going to be a simple sipper—it needs food.
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.