2021 Winemaker Series Cabernet Franc Lot 1
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Winemaker Marcus Notaro loves Cabernet Franc for its interesting aromatics (when ripe) and full structure. It’s his favorite variety to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon to add complexity without taking away Cabernet’s characteristics and is why we recently planted a small amount of Cabernet Franc in our FAY and S.L.V. vineyards.
This wine is 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc is from Crocker & Starr in St. Helena and the Cabernet Sauvignon from Battuello in St. Helena. Crocker & Starr is a warm site and the grapes have great blueberry and spice flavors along with nice structure and complexity. The grapes were harvested on October 12. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak. The wine was bottled without filtration to retain the purity of the wine.
VINTAGE
The 2021 growing season will be remembered for being the second consecutive year of very dry conditions during winter and spring and for challenging weather during bloom and heat, cold, wind, and rain during flowering. This resulted in a reduction in yield and more variability on the clusters themselves. We had classic Napa Valley weather during the heart of the growing season with moderate temperatures and cool sea breezes in the afternoon and evening all summer. Early September saw a mini heat wave that pushed ripeness along, then a return to beautiful weather for the remainder of harvest. Berries were a little smaller than usual with loose clusters. Overall, this may be the best vintage for quality I’ve seen yet!
TASTING NOTES
This inviting Cabernet Franc opens with vibrant blueberries, cherries, cola, wild sage, spice aromas, and notes of baking spice and thyme. The wine is medium to full-bodied with a touch of cocoa and a lingering finish of ripe blackberry and sweet oak.
FOOD PAIRINGS
The wine’s acidity and hints of herbs make it an excellent complement to pork roast with rosemary and sage or smoked beef brisket.