Brian Arden wines are new to me, but you can bet I’ll be checking out the rest of the portfolio after this delicious Cabernet Franc. High toned cherry fruit, tobacco leaf, earth minerality and dried herbs balance beautifully on the nose and in the mouth, with supple fine grained tannins providing grip that doesn’t distract from the mix of flavors. A bright chocolate note comes forward with some air time, adding complexity to an already intriguing package. Well done. A Platinum Award winner at the 2016 Monterey International Wine Competition.
Brian Arden Winery, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Franc 2012
By Rich Cook