2020 Cabernet Franc Black Label

Sourced best fruit first for small quantity of Black Label, Black Labels had a little bit longer skin contact, black label was held in barrel a little longer and in bottle longer prior to release.

Tasting Notes:

This Cabernet Franc has aromas on the nose of raspberries, darker berry fruit, spicy herbs, and pencil shavings. It is an intense, concentrated, medium to full bodied red wine with a textured mid-palate and tannins that strongly indicate further age-ability. The palate is similarly fruit froward, with red and black berries, light pepper spice, and hints of vanilla bean that carry through to a lengthy finish.

Winemaking Notes:

This Cabernet Franc was produced from hand harvested grapes from our Estate Vineyard from vines that were planted in 2014. At the time of harvest the average Brix level was 25.1 degrees, so a nice sugar level from an excellent vintage year. After the grapes were destemmed and crushed into tank, the juice underwent a five-day cold soak. The juice was then warmed so that it could begin alcoholic fermentation, during which pump-overs were done twice daily. Once the alcoholic fermentation was completed the wine was pressed off to a stainless-steel tank to settle before being racked into French barrels comprising thirty-five percent new oak. The wine remained in barrel for twenty months before it was racked back to tank where it settled prior to filtering and bottling. Only 53 cases of this lovely wine were produced.

Food Pairing:

The nice acidity found in this wine allows it to pair well with grilled steaks and chops, Portobello mushrooms, green olives, pepper, rosemary, and mint. The intense aromas and flavours will also show well with Mediterranean styled earthy dishes made with, lamb or wild game, olives, feta, and preserved lemon.

Technical Notes:

pH: 3.55

Total Acidity: 6.4

Alcohol: 13.7 %

Residual Sugar: ~3 g/L

Cellaring 6 - 10 years