I. Brand & Family - Cabernet Franc, DeRose Vineyard (2021)
California / Central Coast / Cienega Valley
About the wine
Founded directly above the San Adreas Fault, DeRose is a 25-year-old own rooted planting of Cabernet Franc. The DeRose Vineyard is part of the old Vaché planting and is the oldest continuously producing commercial vineyard in California. It was subsequently owned by William Palmtag and Almaden Winery, at which time it housed the largest barrel storage room in the world. Soils are a mix of lime and granite. The hill above the Cabernet Franc block is occupied by a lime mine. The DeRose Vineyard is organically farmed but not certified.
A gorgeous garnet color starts this Cienega Valley Cabernet Franc off while the nose exudes plumb and fig jam, melded with green pepper. Assertive if attenuated tannins work together with balanced acidity to lend this wine a medium body that opens up to stewed plumbs, raspberry coulis and a gamey undercurrent.
"Varietally on-target and fruit forward, the aromas of this fine bottling center on cranberry, red plum, “red vines” licorice and a hint of mace. It is attractively piquant at opening, with polished grip, and cherry pit notes in the foreground while richer flavors of cranberry, plum and sour red cherry fan out with airing. Holiday dinner worthy and attractively lingering." - 91+ points, San Francisco Wine Panel
Pairs well with Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Pork, Beef, and Venison
The I. Brand & Family - Cabernet Franc, DeRose Vineyard (2021) wine is not offered in any of our current Wine Collections. Please visit us at WyneTyme to browse our current Wine Collections.