St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2020

Tasting Notes

This high-elevation gem of a Cabernet tantalizes with a complex minerality in the nose. Wet granite and limestone meld with fresh violets and anise as the bouquet evolves. A rich, dense middle of blackberry compote and aromatic baking spices collide with cocoa notes. An expresso-like dry finish lingers for a long enjoyable closure.

Vintage Notes

2020 provided an ideal climate allowing time for the grapes to ripen to their optimum flavor structure. The year presented a fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes, inspiring winemakers to push harvest back a few weeks. This longer time on the vine was great for grapes and the mild temperatures kept the fruit from over-ripening. More than an inch of rain fell in early October in many locations, but there was little impact on the quality of the fruit. 2020 could be remembered as one of the longest and most desirable seasons in years, producing exceptional quality grapes throughout Sonoma County.

Vineyard Notes

All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 55% new. The wine is kept in barrel for 20 months before final blending.