Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Franc was complemented by some 8% Petit Verdot and matured in French barrique for one year. They had lower yields through some frost, perhaps the earlier ripening grapes (like Cabernet Franc and Malbec) suffered more, and the year was naturally concentrated. I found better freshness and balance than in previous years, with varietal character and some elegance. The elegance is mainly found in the palate, where the tannins are fine and the texture very soft. It has a tasty finish. A very pleasant Cabernet Franc.
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.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.