Winemaker Notes
Blend: 79% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A resonant wine loaded with personality, the 2010 Cabernet Franc shows gorgeous mid-palate density and richness. Tobacco, espresso, mocha and sweet herbs add complexity in this juicy, expressive Cabernet Franc. At the same time, there is plenty of grip and energy on the finish to support years of cellaring. This is another deep, resonant wine loaded with personality. Sweet red berries, flowers and tobacco are layered into the finish. The 2010 is 79% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
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.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.