2011 Estate Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: 8 acres of West-facing slopes, half gentle and half- steep, with an average vine age of 25 years.Farming: Unirrigated vines; 100% sustainable agricultural practices; all inputs within OMRI Guidelines
Harvest Dates: October 19, 2011
Fermentation: Small open fermenters, punch down twice per day Yeast: Cepage Cabernet/ Hanson; 14-day average fermentation; press off to barrel; Inoculate for malo-lactic fermentation (viniflora oenos/ Hansen CH16)
Barrels: 1/3 one to two- year-old Traditional Chateau Barrels, 2/3 older French oak
Barrel Time: 30 Months
Blend: 10% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 90% Estate Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14% by Vol.
Production: 24 cases
Wine Label: Frank Strazzulla
Tasting Notes: Opening with delicate aromas of red raspberries, cherries and freshly baked strawberry-rhubarb pie with a touch of orange peel, cinnamon and smoke. The depth of flavors seems endless, from sweet violets and juicy mulberries to minor notes of vanilla, green tea, hazelnut and the famous Mount Veeder bramble. The color is lighter, like a fine red Burgundy, likewise the flavors are also more refined and elegant than warmer vintages.
$50/bottle , $540/case
2012 Estate Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: 8 acres of West-facing half steep and half gentle slopes with an average vine age of 26 years.Farming: Unirrigated vines; 100% sustainable agricultural practices; All inputs within OMRI Guidelines.
Harvest Dates: October 5-11, 2012
Fermentation: Small, open fermenters; Punch down twice per day; Yeast: Cepage Cabernet/ Hanson; 24-day average fermentation; Press off to barrel; Inoculate for malo-lactic fermentation (viniflora oenos/Hansen CH16)
Barrels: 1/3 one to two year old Traditional Chateau Barrels, 2/3 older French oak
Barrel Time: 30 Months
Blend: 5% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 95% Estate Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14% by Vol.
Production: 24 cases
Wine Label: Kathy Dennett
Tasting Notes: We tasted this wine 2 weeks after bottling. Wines usually go through a period of shock after going from Barrel to bottle. The first pour did seem a little quiet, mostly a lush cloud of violets, cherry with hints of Mt. Veeder dust. With the 2nd pour it started to open-up, the array of Cabernet Franc aromas and flavors are amazing! Touches of licorice, vanilla, nutmeg, star anise, green tea and bramble accompanied by big fruit, mostly dark plums and berries, The tannins are tight and very structured but will soften with a little more bottle age.
$75/bottle and $810/case.
2013 Estate Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: 8 acres of West-facing half steep and half gentle slopes with an average vine age of 27 years.Farming: Unirrigated vines; 100% sustainable agricultural practices; All inputs within OMRI Guidelines.
Harvest Dates: October 5-11, 2012
Fermentation: Small, open fermenters; Punch down twice per day; Yeast: Cepage Cabernet/ Hanson; 24-day average fermentation; Press off to barrel; Inoculate for malo-lactic fermentation (viniflora oenos/Hansen CH16)
Barrels: 1/3 one to two year old Traditional Chateau Barrels, 2/3 older French oak
Barrel Time: 30 Months
Blend: 5% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 95% Estate Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 15% by Vol.
Production: 24 cases
Wine Label: Elizabeth Struzzulla
Tasting Notes: We tasted this wine 2 weeks after bottling. Wines usually go through a period of shock after going from Barrel to bottle. The first pour did seem a little quiet, mostly a lush cloud of violets, cherry with hints of Mt. Veeder dust. With the 2nd pour it started to open-up, the array of Cabernet Franc aromas and flavors are amazing! Touches of licorice, vanilla, nutmeg, star anise, green tea and bramble accompanied by big fruit, mostly dark plums and berries, The tannins are tight and very structured but will soften with a little more bottle age.
available Feb.2017 $75/bottle and $810/case.
