Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Finger Lakes (New York) Cabernet Franc 2015

 Chateau LaFayette Reneau is located on the southeast shore of Seneca Lake.  While the Finger Lakes are best known for Rieslings and other whites, their cool climate red wines deserve attention as well.  LaFayette Reneau has offered high quality red and white wines for three decades.  With vineyards on the fractured Devonian shale soils of the Finger Lakes, their Cabernet Franc grapes have found a fine microclimate for wine production.  The 2015 Cabernet Franc offers a deliciously ripe and round style.  The bouquet shows black cherry, red cherry and blackcurrant fruits with hints of green herbs, graphite and black pepper.  The red and black cherry fruit flavors are underscored by a cocoa-like richness as well as savory herbal tones, toasty oak and black pepper spice.  It’s a delicious Bordeaux-like wine that will age gracefully for another 5 or more years.