Winemaker Notes
White Horse wines embody the strong heritage and high quality of Wölffer Estate. Cabernet Franc, under the care of our outstanding vineyard crew, brings forth one of the most exciting and interesting red wines Long Island can produce. This wine has an elegant aroma, fruit-forward flavor and great intensity.
This wine will age beautifully and is a perfect companion to food.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Wild red-berry nose with white-pepper undertones. Medium body with a nice balance of fruit and round, integrated tannins and a pleasantly long finish. An elegant and satisfying wine. 80% cabernet franc, 19% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Franc Caya also has 19% Merlot (on the higher side for this brand but not unusual) and a trace amount of Petit Verdot. It was all aged for 21 months in 25% new French barriques. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. Not exactly inky black in color, this looks and feels like a lighter Cab Franc, until the hammer comes down. The hammer is the power—this is precise, focused and fairly intense, although by no means astringent. The fruit is not particularly rich, and it doesn't seem really solid in the mid-palate, but it does express the grape well. There are the typical olives and bell peppers, particularly on the nose. It is very controlled, however, never too much. The texture is sensual, mingling silk and velvet. It has a fresh feel, most importantly. The big finish is juicy and fruit-driven, for all of this wine's emphasis on structure. This looks like a Caya that is built to age. It is approachable now but will be better next year. There is no rush.
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Wine Enthusiast
Delicate aromas of ripe cherry and currant meld with singed rosemary and black pepper on the nose. The palate is light in feel but ultraslick in texture, with velvety smooth tannins and juicy acidity building the frame. Firm red berries and slightly charred herbs move to crushed stone on the finish
For over 30 years, Wölffer Estate Vineyard has been known as one of the finest producers on the East Coast and a center for innovation and hospitality. They are committed to producing premium, distinctive wines, ciders and spirits through a dedication to quality, penchant for style and celebration of place.
Wölffer Estate was founded in 1988 by Christian Wölffer, a man with great creative vision and a huge passion for life. The estate today is owned and operated by his children, Marc and Joey Wölffer and Winemaker/Partner Roman Roth. The estate spans approximately 170 acres including the acclaimed 55 acre sustainably farmed vineyard located in Sagaponack, NY. They also own 28 acres on the North Fork of Long Island, 200 acres in Mendoza, Argentina and 2.5 acres in Mallorca, Spain. Finally, they partner with carefully selected growers on 338 acres on the North Fork of Long Island as well as 1,750 acres in Côtes de Provence, France.
The unique combination of Bridgehampton loam soil and breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, located 2.6 miles from the estate, provide maritime conditions perfect for achieving the balance of ripeness and acidity that has come to define Wölffer’s signature style: food friendly, elegant and built for longevity. Their dry ciders and gin have extended Wölffer quality into new categories, exemplifying their drive for innovation and excellence.
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.
A far-reaching peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the city of New York, the Long Island appellation includes The Hamptons and North Fork AVAs. With a maritime climate and conditions not unlike that in Bordeaux, the region excels in the production of Bordeaux varieties, namely Merlot and Cabernet Franc.