Nose
The incredibly complex nose has layers of fragrant fruit (black cherry, raspberry patch and baking plums), milk chocolate, black licorice, roasted almond toffee and wild fennel. The wine is unmistakably a Bordeaux red; its cocoa powder, dried floral and sea spray notes give away that it’s Franc.
Palate
The texture is structured as we expect from Franc, but also plush and sappy as a result of gentle tannin extraction and incredibly well-knit sweet and smoky oak from barrel aging. The wine exudes beautifully ripe fruitiness coupled with Franc personality from start to finish.
Growing Conditions
2013 was a superb vintage. The unusually long season, moderate temperature without a major heat spike, and lack of rains made for one of the best vintages in recent memory. An early spring bud break allowed our vineyards to get a two-week head start on the vintage, and the lack of frost meant that yields were excellent while the longer growing season allowed for full ripeness.
The Mayacamas Estate Cabernet Franc vineyard received careful attention despite its
small size and remote location. Each year we assess the vines’ capacity to deeply ripen
the fruit with a moderate amount of extended “hang time.” The 2013 Cabernet Franc was picked late and fermented gently
Aging
50% new French oak, 50% neutral French oak.
Food Pairing
Grilled LMR grass-fed ribeye and oven-roasted baby carrots with tarragon, drizzled with LMR Napa Valley Select Olive Oil
