CABERNET FRANC
Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard & AVA: Frogtown Vineyard, Geneseo District, Paso Robles CA
Alcohol: 14.9%
Aging: Enjoy now, or lay down for 10-15 years.
THE SONG
When it comes to naming our Cabernet Franc, I always turn to my son Evan's playlist. As the father grape to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Cabernet Franc often takes a back seat in blends, sacrificing itself for the sake of its children. Similarly, Donavon Frankenreiter's song "Call Me Papa" is a beautiful tribute to the important people in his life.
The chorus of the song is a touching exchange between two people, with the singer offering to be the other's protector or "papa", and the other being his "baby". The verse continues with the assertion that no matter what happens or where either of them are, the singer will always be there for them
Vintage Notes
Overall, thanks to a relatively temperate growing season, the timing of the 2021 harvest is about a week or two later than in recent years, with most growers pulling the first of the core white wine grapes in late August. While the region has seen smoke from wildfires up north, it didn't affect the vineyards in Paso Robles.
The ongoing drought conditions are presenting growers with a double- edged sword of sorts. The good news is the dry conditions this vintage created smaller, more concentrated grapes, which is ideal for winemaking. While yields are lower, it produces more flavors, bolder colors, strong acidity, and manageable tannins. These conditions have winemakers feeling it's an epic vintage for quality.
Vinification
Fermented on native yeast, on skin for 14-18 days. Aged for 21 months in 228L French oak barriques, 100% new.
Tasting Notes
This Cabernet Franc features fruit sourced from Frogtown Vineyard, located the Geneseo District. The soil is sandy with rocks and interspersed with clay, where the sand provides the wine with beautiful complexity in the aromatics, and the clay adds muscle and tannin to allow it to stand up to the oak and extend its cellar time. On the nose, I get a convergence of boysenberry compote, fresh sage and graham cracker.
The palate shows its heft and grows more complex, adding spice, rhubarb and juicy red fruit that ride beautifully integrated tannins into a lengthy, sumptuous finish. It’s a wine that will continue to evolve as it opens up in your glass, so try to take your time, or decant it for 20 minutes or so.
$85