Chappellet has been growing Cabernet Franc for 35 years, planted at a time when Franc was merely considered a blending grape. Comprised of 78% Cabernet Franc (there are small amounts of four other grapes), Chappellet had a made bold choice to produce a stand-alone wine from this grape. Sure, Franc has been made in the U.S. as a stand-alone, and the Loire Valley is ripe with iterations of Franc - most notably in Chinon and St. Dennis. But Franc in California and Franc in France are quite different. That difference aside, Chappellet does an admirable job crafting a very enjoyable wine. The 2021 offers leathery red fruit, tight tannins (a little bit of air time is a good idea), dusty cocoa powder, black cherry, boysenberry and huckleberry notes. This retains its Franc characteristics – that typical earthy flavor with light herbal and floral notes, that is very Franc - without getting overwhelmed by excess winemaking, and it separates itself from Cabernet Sauvignon. A short aging of 22 months helps the wine structurally without minimizing the fruit. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.8%
