Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Red Hills Lake County (California) Cabernet Franc 2022 ($65)

I haven’t heard from this producer in a while, and this bottle reminds me that I need to be keeping better track of them. Grown at over 200 feet of elevation, it shows deep aromatic ripeness, with raspberry, cherry, and a dash of dried herbs that lifts the fruit. A supple tannic grip holds those elements as palate flavors, and the finish is quite long, bringing pleasant, charred oak notes into the mix. It is approachable now and will reward five plus years of bottle aging, but dive right in if you like bold fruit flavors.
92 Rich Cook