Tranche 2011 Blue Mt. Cab Franc - 93 Points

Floral and herbaceous on the nose, with delicate aromas of rose petal, lavender and wildflowers above layers of dried redcurrant, wild fig and lignified wood. A soft entry to the palate is followed by an immediate weight and density in the mouth with rich flavors of raspberry, leather and thyme. Herbaceous notes of eucalypt, cedar and tomato bush combine with dusty mouth-filling tannins to make this a truly striking Cabernet Franc.

93 POINTS - "2011 Cabernet Franc Estate comes from the Blue Mountain Vineyard, which lies in the northern, cooler part of the Walla Walla AVA at an altitude of around 1,200 feet. A 100% Cabernet Franc, it possesses a fresh and perfumed bouquet of black cherries, violets, wild herbs and underbrush (classic Cabernet Franc) aswell as a sweetly fruited, medium to full-bodied palate that has good acidity and a focused, clean texture. Beautifully made, it should drink reasonably well on release and have upwards of a decade or total longevity. Drink 2015-2021." Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

92 POINTS - "Aromas of Blue and Black Fruit with hints of lavender and wilted rose petal. Robust flavors of plum, stewed blackberries, tart bramble and green peppercorn on the back pallet that finishes with bright acid and velvet tannins." S. Kleinfeld - Certified Somm

Cooler conditions during the2011 growing season accentuated the earth-driven, herbaceous aromas and flavors that are characteristic of the world’s greatest Cabernet Francs. Our two best blocks of Cabernet Franc were hand-harvested and sorted into small oak open-tops for fermentation. After an extended time on skins, the wine was gently basket-pressed into new and used French Oak barriques, and matured for two years prior to bottling.