Food & Wine’s recent article “9 Great Bottles of Cabernet Franc to Drink Right Now”, as the name suggests, gives special attention to the often underappreciated wine. Brian Freedman writes that although Cabernet Franc is planted widely planted in legendary vineyards from Bordeaux’s Right Bank to Loire Valley, it is mostly associate as a high-end red wine. This has adversely made the grape “underappreciated, overwhelmed by the fame and consumer adulation that other varieties receive.” In a bold effort to correct this misconception, Freedman provides nine excellent and diverse Cab Francs expressions that are worthy of attention and affordable.
Included in this list is the 2018 Halcyon Wines Cabernet Franc Adler Spring Vineyard Mendocino County, California (priced at $45). The accompanying review states the wine has “Aromas of cherries forest floor, eucalyptus, and floral peppercorns get the mouth watering and prepared for a palate of precision, with flavors of wild berries, toasted fennel seed, high-toned spice, and a hint of savoriness, all of it lingering with coffee and cocoa powder. Halcyon’s Barsotti Vineyard bottling is also worth seeking out for its more floral expression of the variety ($35).”
To read more about Cabernet Franc and Halcyon Wines, read the full article HERE.
Related Producers
Halcyon Wines
California, United States
Tyler and Kim Elwell launched Halcyon Wines in 2013 after Tyler discovered an intriguing Cabernet Franc vineyard along the Central Coast—a varietal he always dreamed of working with. Tyler, who was raised in Santa Barbara, has since scoured the vineyards of California to find Cabernet Franc planted in a wide variety of climates and terroirs. Focusing on sustainably farmed vineyards and minimal winemaking, Halcyon highlights the versatility and range of an often misunderstood grape varietal. Cabernet Franc takes center stage in all it's forms - white, red, and bubbly. Kim has worked to express the energy and tone of these unique wines through artful labels and playlists of songs that pair with the wines. Together the Elwells combine their deep-rooted love of wine and California, bringing you a nouveau take on California Cabernet Franc.
