When we began our exploration of Cabernet Franc we set out with the goal to present a wine that was ‘true to type’, or in wine-speak, a wine that showed ‘typicity’ – boldly saying ‘Cabernet Franc’! Our exploration, in progress for over a decade, brings us to the rows of many vineyards in very diverse growing conditions. Our newest find has been north of us [north of Napa Valley that is] in the hills of Lake County. Lake County has been known for a very long time as a region capable of producing stunning Sauvignon Blanc so it seems natural that it would do well with the closely related Cabernet Franc. Our discovery of some very fine vineyards in this area invites a new level of experience to the aromatic and flavor profile of our Cabernet Franc.
The 2006 is an assemblage of four vineyards, two located in the heart of the Napa Valley and two from the northern reaches of Lake County. The new dimension, and a peek into our future vintages, comes from the High Chaparral Vineyard and Cross Springs Vineyard in Lake County. The High Chaparral sits above the 2,000-foot elevation on very sparse red soils. This vineyard was planted on its own roots, in the early 1980’s. This ‘Franc de Pied’ provides a deep streak of aroma and flavor that clearly expresses a mineral and stony like quality to the wine. Also above the 2,000ft elevation, the relatively youthful Cross Springs Vineyard is planted to one of the new Entav/Inra clones especially noted for pure varietal expression. The grapes from these vineyards provided us with an exciting facet in our goal to express ‘typicity’ in our Cabernet Franc.
Description:
Showing clear and brilliant red color with youthful violet on the edge, the aromatics of this vintage clearly shout Cabernet Franc with late summer herbs and bright white cherry fruit mingling with typical Franc floral characteristics. On the palate savory and tarragon combine with floral essence buttressed with dried cherry and currant fruit flavors. The gentle tannins are nicely punctuated by lively fruit acid, which lead into a finish that is fresh and mouthwatering.
| Production Statistics: |
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| Varietal Composition: |
100% Cabernet Franc |
| Appellation: |
90% Lake County
10
% Napa Valley |
| Vineyards: |
Cross SpringsVineyard, Lake County
High Chaparral, Lake County
Stanton Vineyard, Oakville
Napa Valley |
| Alcohol Content: |
14.5% by Volume |
| Total Acidity: |
0.50g/100ml |
| ph: |
3.90 |
| Cooperage: |
8 months, 60-gallon used French Oak |
| Case Production: |
2,600 cases |
| Bottling Date: |
June 2007 |
| Label Design: |
Jeanne Greco, Caffe Greco Design |
| Suggested Retail Price: |
$22.00 bottle [750ml] |
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