2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
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At Duckhorn Vineyards, we have been working with Napa Valley Cabernet Franc for over a quarter century, exploring its ability to add elegance and complexity to our blends and its capacity to produce stand-alone wines of stature and sophistication. Incorporating valley floor fruit with an emphasis on older vines, low yields and warmer vineyards, our Cabernet Franc offers beautiful varietal notes of dark cherry, raspberry and red currant with hints of tobacco leaf and graphite.
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 96.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.75% Merlot, 0.75% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Both elegant and expansive, this wine begins with aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cassis, graphite and crushed rose petals. As it opens up on the palate, the alluring flavors are elegantly supported by generous tannins and a backbone of bright acidity, with hints of chocolate, cherry blossom, cassis, cedar and slate lingering on the long, satisfying finish.
Production
For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Cabernet Franc
Appellation
Napa Valley
Acid
0.54 g/100 ml
pH
3.82
Aging
100% French Oak: 50% New, 50% Neutral; Aged 16 months
Alcohol %
14.5