Winemaker Renee Ary says that Cabernet Franc has a way of hiding some green tannin and bell pepper character when it seems ripe, so Duckhorn likes to let the fruit hang for a week or two beyond the time that they like the fruit. The wait shows in this bottle, which avoids and green character and plows right into big black cherry and blackberry pie fruit aromas and flavors, with very faint dried herbs and tobacco notes. It is full bodied, but doesn’t venture into over ripe territory, and finishes long with refreshing spice notes. Beautifully made, as usual. Contains 6% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
