Cloudlift Cellars 2011 Ascent Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
For the third straight vintage, Seattle winemaker Tom Stangeland returns to Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills for his Cabernet Franc. This is even better than the 2010. It opens with aromas of crushed herbs, strawberry milkshake and chocolate-coverage pomegranate seeds. It’s a mouth-filling drink of red cherry, red currant and Limeade, backed by pleasing tannins and dried strawberry. The underlying acidity and pinch of sage adds to its food-friendly profile. Stangeland, a professional chef while studying at the University of Washington, enjoys pairing this with roast chicken (cooked with fresh rosemary under the skin), pork tenderloin with a pancetta and molasses-balsamic vinegar sauce or Eggplant Parmesan.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 60 cases
Alcohol: 14%
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