Winemaker Notes
The wine reveals a deep, dark slate color with accents of candy red and garnet at the rim; on the nose, it opens with a voluptuous bouquet of cinnamon and chili flakes that evolves into roasted strawberries and fresh basil; the palate begins rich and silky, unfolding into a structured and savory mid-palate with flavors that transition from caramelized strawberries and smoked blackberries to French thyme and sun-ripened tomato.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
From a larger site on Pritchard Hill, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Stagecoach sports a deep purple hue as well as sumptuous notes of red and black currants, smoked tobacco, spice box, and loamy earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this spicy, complex, up-front, and beautifully textured Cabernet Franc is going to evolve for 15-20 years if stored correctly. It's another impressive Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Opaque garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Stagecoach Vineyard is a little closed to begin, soon unfurling to reveal fragrant notes of red currant jelly, Morello cherries, mulberries and forest floor with nuances of cedar, pencil lead, lavender and wild thyme. Medium-bodied, the palate has a wonderful intensity of red fruit dominant flavors and loads of savory accents, supported by firm, grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and earthy.
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James Suckling
Aromas of blackberry, walnut, dark tobacco and mahogany follow through to a full body with firm, chewy tannins that are polished and fine. Pretty finish.
Wines, like people, are a reflection of their origin and evolution. The Debate are Napa Valley wines crafted by respected winemaker Jean Hoefliger (Lynch-Bages, Newton Vineyard, Alpha Omega, AXR, Harbison and many others). The Debate focuses on the unique terroirs of single vineyard sites for Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc exclusively.
The Debate began in 2010 when two friends brought their unique perspectives together to create thought provoking and delicious wines that extend beyond the sense of taste to the thrill of telling stories and the art of listening. By selecting three different vineyards with three different expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the Debate seeks to point out the diversity of terroir as well as the diversity of people.
We live in an age where less and less time is spent at the dinner table discussing these different points of view. The Debate mission is to bring people together to share a glass of wine to discuss and debate just as our team does. Every vintage of The Debate is wrapped in newspaper with “The Debates” of the vintage. Whether its politics, sports, pop-culture or world events, you have the opportunity to reminisce a time, a place and a vintage in history with the people around you.
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.