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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
2002 marked the eighth harvest of Crystal Basin Cellars’ flagship wine, Cabernet Franc, from the Gold Hill Vineyard in El Dorado County . Overlooking the American River Canyon the vineyard enjoys warm days and cooling breezes at night. This micro-climate allows an optimal ripening cycle and showcases a glowing example of the intense flavors possible from Sierra Foothill Cabernet Franc grapes.
Made in a minimalistic winemaking style following traditional methods the wine shows aromas of violets and rose petals along with a rich and spicy blackcherry backbone.
Often used for blending, our Cabernet Franc is far better on its own – it is consistently a Crystal Basin Cellars favorite. Previous vintages of Crystal Basin Cellars Cabernet Franc have won numerous awards in wine competitions and this one should prove to be no exception.
This wine will benefit from time in the bottle to mellow the tannins and transform the intense grapiness of the wine to a smooth-as-silk fruit bomb. This Cabernet Franc should be at a peak 18 to 24 months after release.
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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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Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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Optima:
Recent crossing of Riesling and Sylvaner grape with the Muller-Thurgau. Widely grown in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany and used for blending purposes in the white wines of the region.
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