Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Titus Cabernet Franc is expressive, fresh and an exciting example of one of our oldest bottlings. The aromas open with French plum, cherry, and Mexican chocolate while notes of clove, nutmeg and white flower are interlaced with the fruit. The wine is smooth and almost delicate on entry with nicely integrated tannins that have a subtle grip. Concentrated red fruits, strawberry rhubarb and dark chocolate are present leading to graphite and lavender on the finish.
Blend: 81% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 81% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec, the 2021 Cabernet Franc sports a vivid purple hue to go with impressive aromatics of cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, and chocolaty oak. It's medium-bodied and has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. A beautiful wine, it might even be better in another year or two as it integrates its oak.
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James Suckling
A rich and fruity cabernet franc with creamy berries, vanilla and sweet oak spices on the nose. Medium body with plush tannins. Creamy berries and mocha on the palate with dried herbs and cedar in the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Marked by floral notes (violets?) and bright cherries, underscored by mossy oak scents, the 2021 Cabernet Franc is a nicely aromatic example. A reasonably dark purple in the glass, it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a lingering, gently mocha-tinged finish.
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Wine Spectator
A tight, grippy version, with dark currant and black cherry reduction notes at the core, coated with freshly plowed humus, tobacco leaf and cast iron accents. Ends with a flash of walnut husk on the ruggedly old-school finish. Worth cellaring to tame this a touch. Best from 2025 through 2036. 1,400 cases made.
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.