Lexington Cabernet Franc 2011
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Wine & Spirits
This is the first vintage of a new label Thomas Fogarty, Jr., created to highlight the wines from the family’s Gist Ranch. Planted in sandstone at 2,400 feet of elevation, the ranch’s cabernet franc vines grew a beautifully savory 2011, rich with floral, woodland mushroom and cedar bark scents. It’s focused by the frisky levity of perfectly ripe cabernet franc, supple and delicate enough for grilled quail or squab
The Lexington label is a fairly new project for the Thomas Fogarty brand. The successful Cabernet Sauvignon-based Lexington is now its own label, which beginning in 2011 features a few single-variety bottlings and the flagship Apex.
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.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.