
2018 Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley
We’ve worked with Cabernet Franc as a blending varietal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pentad (our flagship cuvée) for two decades. This bottling comes from McClellan Estate Vineyard and Summit View Vineyard on the south end of the Walla Walla Valley.
The wine captures the varietal character of Cabernet Franc while also expressing the vineyards’ deep silt-loam and hillside terroir. This vintage shows a garnet color with a nose of cherries, tobacco leaf and graphite with hints of pink peppercorns and sage. The palate is soft with an acidity showing bright cherries, tobacco leaf, dried herbs with soft integrated tannins. The wine drinks well now, and should age nicely for an additional 4 to 6 years from vintage.