2020 Cabernet Franc Reserve

Tasting Notes

Aromas of cedar, cocoa, rhubarb, and ripe strawberries.  Flavor profiles include poached plums, rich, dark, bittersweet chocolate and cranberry dance the dance of love on the tongue.  A beautiful and gracious balance of acid, tannin and fruit that lingers with a grippy, long and satisfying palate.

Best enjoyed at 55°- 60°f
Suggested drink window: now - 2027 - 2036

Winemaking

• 100% Cabernet Franc

• Vineyard locations: east side of Seneca Lake

• Soil: Howard & Lansing gravely silt loam

• Hand harvested October 15th

• Unfined & unfiltered

• Vegan

• Brix: 23.0-24.5° • pH: 3.48 • TA:  6.7 g/L • RS 0.0% • ABV: 14.5% • Bottling Date: 8/26/2021

• Cases Produced: 143

2020 Tech Sheet

2020 Vintage Notes

2020 was a vintage of idyllic growing conditions, especially in northeast USA terms.  We could hardly ask for better growing conditions or a more forgiving and timely harvest.  We experienced all the heat we could desire in timely doses.  Not overbearing, just continuous and moderate.  There was a welcome level of comfort having the fruit basking post leaf removal without the worry of burn.  In addition, 2020 offered just the right amount of moisture stress (read lack of rain) to keep the fruit slightly dehydrated and the consequent flavor development of the skins and pulp lent a complexity to the juices that are playing out in the wines. Wines that people will be savoring both as a panacea to the angst that 2020 brings to the mind as well as feeding the palate the ever-present desire for excitement. A winemaker's dream.  Expect to see wines of extremely high quality from this vintage, both reds and whites (and sparkling!!).  Phil and Lauren nursed these wines to speak well of the year that many will want to forget. Nature has prevailed, as she always will, over the whims of man.  How fortunate.  Happy drinking!