Nox Perpetua 2015 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $45
When Jason Fox struck out on his own after graduating from Walla Walla Community College’s College Cellars program, he made fresh whites the focus of Lagana Cellars and they immediately shined. The 2015 vintage marks the creation of his label for reserve-style red wines, and this work from venerable Seven Hills Vineyard seems inspired some of the groundbreaking bottlings of Cabernet Franc produced by the winery he interned with – famed Walla Walla Vintners. Aromas of Marionberry and plum with fresh tarragon are realized on the palate with fine-grained tannins that slowly expand. An underlying dusty minerality and swirl of chocolate come through the finish of blueberry. This year, Fox has continued his success in blind judgings, which included a gold medal for his 2016 Cockburn Ranch Chardonnay at the 2017 Cascadia International, and a gold medal for this exciting Cab Franc at the fifth annual Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition – a scholarship fundraiser for his alma mater.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 72 cases
Alcohol: 14.6%
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