St. Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Tasting Notes

This full-bodied, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon presents layered aromas of cassis, dark chocolate, leather and cola that underscore the concentrated flavors of crushed dark berries, espresso and a hint of anise and vanilla bean. This classic wine has vibrancy, structure and a long, smooth finish.

Vintages Notes

The 2017 growing season started out wet with record-breaking rainfall refreshing our vineyards after several dry years. The mild spring led to timely bud break and good fruit set, followed by ideal conditions of cool mornings and warm, sunny days throughout the summer months. Our first grapes of the season were “blessed” on August 25.A few days of intense heat at the beginning of September sped up ripening throughout the region. Well-timed picks throughout the month meant the majority of fruit was in by the first week of October.

Vineyard Notes

The fruit for this Reserve wine is grown at high elevations on sloped hillsides with good drainage. Climbing as high as 1400 feet along the sun-drenched, western-facing slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, the fruit sits well above the fog line. Naturally protected from the wind, the area’s dry hot days combine with bracingly cold nights which puts an element of stress on the vines resulting in small clusters, small berries and intensified flavors.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes were hand-sorted and underwent a two-day cold soak prior to fermentation to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine was then aged in French oak barrels, 75% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging before bottling.