Nose
The aromatics are very powerful on the 2018 Cabernet Franc, as soon as the cork is popped loads of black plum, ripe cherries and vanillin fill the air. In the glass there is freshly ground peppercorns, black currants and coffee grounds. As the wine opens crushed violets and gravel minerality appears.
Palate
The wine has a nice lushness due to the Merlot addition. There are major amounts of cherry pie and cola as well as vanilla on the palate. The tannins are present and pleasing but softer than in previous years with a long perfumed floral finish.
Growing Conditions
After the challenging year that 2017 was, 2018 was a welcome reprieve. For the 2016 vintage a remark was made that it
was a near perfect vintage. If 2016 was near perfect than 2018 was perfect. The vintage was a great balance of
impeccable quality with an above average quantity. It was a hot but milder summer than in 2017. Fall was a winemaker’s
dream of consistently warm weather without heat spikes or rain spells. We brought in the two different Cabernet Franc
blocks as the green flavors dissipated and the fruit became flawlessly physiologically ripe.
Winemaking
The grapes were handpicked, destemmed, and partially crushed first thing in the morning. The grapes were cold soaked for
two days (the grapes sat on the skins at 50 ̊F) followed by 16-19 days of maceration on the skins. The press wine was
kept separate and all the wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation in barrel. After the wine was aged for
20 months in barrel, we did our classic assemblage and added some Merlot to fill in the mid pallet and a very small
amount of Petit Verdot for structure to complement the amazing aromatics and fine tannins of the Cabernet Franc.
Food Pairing
present and pleasing but softer than in previous years with a
long perfumed floral finish. This is a bright lively Cabernet Franc that can be enjoyed in
its youth and will develop some great complexity over the next 7-8 years.
