San Juan Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills, $28
Island winemaker Chris Primus continues his relationship with Columbia Valley growers, and his work with Cabernet Franc from Alder Ridge Vineyard shows consistent excellence. There are classic Cab Franc leafy notes in the nose, which shows a reddish fruit tone with red currant and Bing cherry amid caramel and Horse Heaven Hills minerality. The drink offers firm but smooth tannins in a medium structure that’s surrounded by fresh cranberry, pie cherry and blueberry, backed by dried tea leaves in the finish. Fortunately, owner Yvonne Swanberg gave Primus the OK to increase production by nearly 100 cases over the 2010 vintage.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 381 cases
Alcohol: 14%
Leave a Reply