2001 Cabernet Franc from

Winemaker Notes

The grapes were fermented in a small 10-ton open-topped tank; during fermentation we punched down the cap to extract color and supple tannin. Following a 12-day fermentation, the free run of the wine was drained off of the grape skins. For this opulent wine we don't use the less elegant press wine. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 21 months in our volcanic rock caves.

Cabernet Franc is an important component of our Moon Mountain Reserve blend, softening and rounding out the more angular Cabernet Sauvignon and providing intriguing aromas of raspberries and chocolate. Its performance has been so superb that we decided to withhold a small amount to bottle on its own. The 2001 vintage is deep garnet in color, with a rich full-bodied mouth and lingering sweet finish.