Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Titus Cabernet Franc is another example of the breadth of flavors and complexity inherent to one of the winery's 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 2040.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 79% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Malbec raised 20 months in 55% new French oak, the 2023 Cabernet Franc offers beautiful cassis, blue fruits, classy oak, and spring flowers, as well as some chocolaty nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, graceful mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish.
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James Suckling
There’s a nice reductive edge, bringing out aromas of black olives, cured meats and scorched earth beneath densely packed dark fruit. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and a plush yet tightly wound mouthfeel. Plenty to like here. More time in the bottle will help.
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.