Monticello Vineyards
2006 Monticello Vineyards Estate Grown Cabernet Franc
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Print: Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes:
This is our fourth varietal-bottled Cabernet Franc. As we have with the previous vintages, we have bottled a 100% Cabernet Franc.
We grow four distinct clones of Cabernet Franc on our properties. Each year, these clones are typically harvested separately so we can evaluate the performance of each. The separate lots are blended together after about 9-12 months of barrel aging and evaluation. Cabernet Franc is an important varietal for us as the grape plays a major role in many of our wines, both as a foundation and an accent for blending. The lots that were used in the 2006 Estate Grown Cabernet Franc were some of the smaller bin-fermented lots. As this wine represents all of the clones that we are currently growing on our properties, it also offers an interesting overview of our cabernet Franc program as a whole.
Our 2006 Cabernet Franc displays the hallmarks that I look for from our Cabernet Franc. It has a nice spicy aroma profile, accented by rich ripe fruit and a hint of toasty dark chocolate from the oak. The texture is rich and viscous – a result of patience and letting the fruit develop to full ripeness. Drink now through 2013.
Cabernet Franc has been the predominant varietal in all but one of our highly acclaimed CORLEY Proprietary Red Wines and we consider it extremely important to the success of that wine. The fact that this release is 100% Estate Grown Cabernet Franc supports our belief that this varietal is not just a great wine to blend, but is to be taken seriously as a stand-alone wine. – Chris Corley, Winemaker.
Vineyard:
Harvest Dates: 4 separate lots picked between October 2-9, 2006.
Home Ranch Vineyard – Block 4 – Clone X – 44 %
Home Ranch Vineyard – Block 6 – Clones 332-312 – 37 %
Knollwood Vineyard – East Block – Clone 327 – 12 %
Knollwood Vineyard – East Block – Clone X – 7 %