Winemaker Notes
The 2007 Cabernet Franc is deep in ripe, dark fruit character with a striking richness. Intoxicating high-tone notes of Asian Five Spice and candied violets accent the perfumed aromatics. Gone are the toasty vanilla elements of barrel toast that were very present in this wine upon release, replaced by a more exotic green cardamom spice and black currant with a faint mineral hint of gun powder. Good acidity assures the vibrancy indicative of Cabernet Franc at its best. The floral underscore carries through the palate to lend complexity to the dark fruit which lingers through an extended finish. Tannins are sleek and polished with supple texture.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Cabernet Franc Blueline exhibits abundant characteristics of blueberries, black raspberries, charcoal, incense, and flowers in its round, gracious, generously-endowed personality. With outstanding purity, texture, and depth, the wine never comes across as heavy, but rather, pure and rich. A classic example of combining power with finesse, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years.
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.