2016 Merryvale Cabernet Franc Napa Valley 1.5L

Winemaking

We handpick in the early morning hours to preserve the freshness and skin integrity of the fruit. The grapes are carefully hand-sorted in the field and then at the winery before being gravity fed into small fermenters. Sourced from two vineyard sites, each pick is fermented separately. Native fermentation started after a 7-day cold soak and reached a peak temperature of 90°F. The wines were pumped over twice each day until dry, then pressed and drained to barrels where they underwent malolactic fermentation. We aged the wine for 20 months in 80% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes

An elegantly muscular expression of Cabernet Franc. Bright forward aromas of dark cherries, baking spices, crème de cassis, and sage tease the nose and draw you in. On the palate the wine is lusciously textured—rich and smooth, yet powerfully structured with precise tannins and a long finish. The flavors evolve in the mouth and the glass, creating a unique experience that highlights the best expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. Bold and flavorful now, this wine will only increase in elegance over the next 10+ years.