If it’s Spring, it is time for Cabernet Franc and we have two new wines to celebrate the season – the 2020 Rosé of Cabernet Franc and the 2019 Assemblage, a 50/50 blend of Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
2020 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
When you open the bottle the nose is virtually identical to the 2019. Bright red fruit, tropical and floral notes jump out of the bottle. The 2020 vintage in Napa was moving along beautifully, and just like Covid shook the world, the wildfires threw the vintage a big roadblock. We picked earlier, cold soaked the whole clusters, then gently pressed the grapes, holding back the pressure. This resulted in less skin contact to help avoid any potential smoke taint. It also resulted in a slightly paler color reminiscent of a rosé from Provence. The palate is full of bright strawberry flavors and an acid-driven roundness. Enjoy this wine at the pool, in the back yard, on a hike or on the porch.
2019 Assemblage
This wine is a Cab Franc driven blend with Cabernet Sauvignon. I created the blend last Thanksgiving weekend armed with barrel samples of each of the 2019 Cab and Cab Franc lots, I created five new blends each day and progressed the best one to the next round. This process went on for four days and at blend number 25, I was very happy. The blend was all over the place with Cab leading some trials and Cab Franc leading the others. In the end, we have a delicious 50/50 blend. This wine is smooth, fruit driven and easy to drink. No heavy tannins get in the way of the brambly blueberry flavors with a touch of earthy and graphite flavors. This wine pairs with salad, fish, barbeque, steak, and as I delightfully discovered – sloppy joes.
I hope you enjoy these special wines.
Greg Brickey
Winemaker & Proprietor
