California Cabernet Franc 2019

This wine is a blend of fruit from volcanic-laced Camino Alto in the El Dorado County and the sandy soils of the Campos family vineyard in Contra Costa County, thus the “California” appellation.

Grapes were hand-picked in early September for sugar and acid balance – not for color – and the proudly pale hue is evident in clear glass. All berries were foot stomped and 25% were left whole cluster. The wine fermented with native yeasts and completed malolactic fermentation naturally in all neutral barrels. The barrels were racked once and the wine was neither fined, nor filtered. It was bottled 10 months after harvest to capture the freshness and unique nature of this truly creative expression of Cabernet Franc.

You can’t miss the green edge in the wine; aromatically, jalapeno pops out of the glass when the wine is first opened. What is surprising is the silky texture and distinctly juicy red fruit on the nose and palate as the wine opens up. With air, this wine is a light, strawberry-thyme thirst quencher.

Roast pork tacos, or other savory foods with grilled meats and green flavors pair perfectly with this light style red. This wine can also be served with a slight chill.