Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Titus Cabernet Franc is another example of the breadth of flavors and complexity inherent to one of our oldest bottlings. The aromas open with pomegranate, raspberry and Mexican chocolate while notes of green tea, flowering rosemary, and tobacco are interlaced with the fruit The wine is smooth and almost delicate on entry with nicely integrated tannins that display roundness and finesse Brandied cherry, currant and dark chocolate are present leading to savory spice and a floral lift to the finish Enjoy through 2036.
Blend: 80% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Beautiful cassis, graphite, violets, and floral nuances define the 2022 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley, a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Malbec. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, and focused on the palate, it shows fine balance, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous, elegant 2022 personality.
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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. It should drink well for a decade or more.
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.