Nose

This 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc exudes aromas of red cherry, raspberry and floral perfume with the most delicate hints of dried herbs.

Palate

On the palate, the wine at first appears taut with red cherry and then transforms into a lush, juicy mix of red and black fruits. A sense of refinement is evident as the finish shows soft gentle tannins that extend the fruit experience and displays great vineyard personality in its length.

Growing Conditions

In 2007 we found a vineyard located on ideal rocky soils on a beautiful hillside slope in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley. The Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard benefits from moderate temperatures and cooling breezes that emanate from the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay. This new world climate combined with this old world Loire Clone 214 provides the basis for a unique and immensely gratifying presentation of the Cabernet Franc grape. Lang & Reed ‘Two-Fourteen’ expresses what we believe is our highest achievement in creating a wine made exclusively from Cabernet Franc that represents the only known bottling of this unique clone in California to date.

The year began dry with some very cold days and single-digit nighttime temperatures around the New Year holiday, and continued dry, with about 60% of normal precipitation throughout the appellation. Temperatures were warmer than normal as winter continued into spring with resulting earlier budding, bloom and set in the vineyards across all varieties.

The summer growing season continued on the mild to cool side, with few days topping 100 degrees, even in the warmest locations in the appellation. There were also notably fewer days in the 90s, and harvest followed a traditional, even relaxed, pace. There was a brief period of heat that spiked around Labor Day, but the temperatures cooled after several days. This heat spike added the boost of sugar development that growers were looking for to complement the excellent acid structure developed in the white varieties.

Clusters, as well as individual berries on the clusters, though set at a normal quantity, were notably smaller in all varieties due to the dry season.

Harvest

Harvest began just a little earlier than normal, however; the traditional 'labor day' cooling slowed late-ripening red varietals, including Cabernet Franc. Sugarloaf is located in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley in a very cool area overlooking San Francisco Bay. Providing one of the most consistently moderated vineyards in the area. The grapes were
harvested on October 27, a full two weeks after the light rains that hit
Napa Valley during the harvest.

Bottling

Bottled in January 2009 and released on July 14, 2009 - Bastille Day - 350 cases of 12X750ml bottles produced - no Large format

Winemaking

This wine is de-stemmed but not crushed into stainless steel fermentors - Gentle pump-overs throughout fermentation and then allowed a short post-fermentation extended maceration, pressed to barrels for the completion of malo-lactic fermentations - Not racked off of lees until the final assemblage in late 2009

Aging

Aging was in one year and two-year-old French oak barrels for 23 months.

Appearance

A brilliant crimson red with highlights of violet and blue - clear and shimmering throughout.

Food Pairing

Roasted meats, Goat Cheeses + Rillettes