Winemaker Notes
This is an extremely versatile wine, perfect to pair with a array of different foods. Best served a few degrees below room temperature, this wine pairs beautifully with burgers, lamb, pheasant, chicken, veal or mushroom dishes. Serve it with grilled salmon for a delicious, yet unusual, complement.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cabernet Franc Caya also has about 19% Merlot, 4.5% Malbec and just a trace of Petit Verdot, all aged for about 19 months in 28% new French barriques. It comes in at 13.8% alcohol. The price escalates here compared to some other nice ones in this report, but there is a reason why the extra bucks might be worth laying down. This has solidity in the mid-palate, a fine expression of fruit with some controlled veggies and better structure as well. The tannins are ripe, so you can certainly drink this today, but it seems poised to age pretty well and improve over the next couple of years. It's worth mentioning that this was a difficult year in many places. Wölffer Estate seems to have figured it out with this Cab Franc, which is pretty much on its normal marks, although well on the elegant side. There were 749 cases produced.
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.