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Wine Details
Price:
$35.00 per bottle
Description:
A reserve selection of vineyard and barrel lots from 2001, the Cabernet Franc came from De Rose Vineyard in the Cienega Hills, an historic, practically Pleistocene Age vineyard and winery on an earthquake fault near Santa Cruz. Merlot and Cabernet were contributed by Cougar Ridge Vineyard, a limestone and shale vineyard with steep slopes, sitting at 1600’ elevation in northwest Paso Robles. Petite Verdot came from the immensely popular Fralich Vineyard in the stony shale hills of Templeton.
All lots were aged for 28 months in new French or American barrels, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Aromas of elderberry, sage and anise lead into intriguing flavors of black cherry, peppercorn, spice and herbs—in a ménage of Bordeaux varieties.
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Varietal Definition
Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
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Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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