2017 Bismark Cabernet Franc 750ml
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow six acres of Cab Franc in two rugged terraced ridge-top blocks. This is steep ground; shared with Creosote bush, Grey pine, coyote and mountain lion. Topographically it is similar to the Douro. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s unique terroir is both fierce and alluring.
Vintage 2017: A welcome, very wet winter recharged the Mountain’s ground water supply. A relatively dry, cool spring led into a summer with alternating cool and very hot periods. Blocks that were blooming during extremes suffered some shatter but overall, the crop size was average. A cool August was followed by a Labor Day heat wave that pushed harvest into high gear. Temperatures then moderated into a glorious, easy ripening September and early October. The grapes for the Bismark Mountain Cab Franc were harvested from September 6, to October 7, 2017 at an average of 27o Brix.
Winemaking: Our 2017 Bismark Cab Franc was sorted, destemmed and crushed to tank. The grapes arrived warm, promoting early color extraction, and prompting early inoculation. The wine was pressed sweet, finished fermentation in tank, before a mid-October barreling. Ageing was sur lie in a combination of 17% new Hungarian and 25% new French Oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Our Cabernet Franc’s color is that of a brilliant Burmese ruby. Effusive aromas of blackberry crisp, marzipan, German anise, ginseng extract, Montmorency cherry and sage. Flavors are echoic with additional notes of mint, Ethiopian coffee, and beeswax. It dances lithely across the palate, impeccably balanced and long. (Tasted 11-11-20)
Variety: 75% Cabernet Franc 20% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Location: Bismark Mountain blocks 10 Cab Franc, 26 Malbec, 3 Cab Sauv. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines: 24 years
Alcohol: 14.6%
pH: 4.0
Titratable Acidity (TA): 0.59 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar: 0.3%
Avg. Brix at Harvest: 27o
Length/Type of Aging: 23 months in barrel.
Oak Types: 42% new French and Hungarian Oak coopered by Trust and Boutes
Bottling Date: September 6, 2019
Number of Cases: 158
Vegan