Corley Family Napa Valley

This wine has ripe berry fruit and spice aromas. There are nice dark cherry, mocha and coffee tones on the nose. On the palate the wine has a powerful entry, the wine is expansive and fills the palate. The tannins are nicely structured and provide a great framework for the wine. I find black cherry, blackberry, coffee all layered with some very nice toasted oak tones on the palate. The wine is well balanced and is sharing nicely resolved tannins in its youth which will allow it to age gracefully for years to come. This wine is best enjoyed from a decanter, 30-45 minutes after opening.

Our 2019 Cabernet Franc was hand-picked, then destemmed and berry-sorted on the crush pad. Fermentation lasted 12 days with the wine drained and pressed at dryness. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrels. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. 1/3 new French oak. Since the wine is 100% varietal, there was no blending, but the barrel selection was completed at 18 months aging, 6 months prior to bottling.

I find dark berry fruit, hints of spice and light toasted oak, vanilla tones on the nose in this wine. On the palate the wine is very well balanced with depth on the midpalate but also nuance and finesse on the finish. It is a celebration of the depth that can be attained with this varietal in Oak Knoll District. The attack is big, but is supported by layers of on the midpalate. The tannins are moderate, and the underlying fruit character is deep, so that this wine will evolve gracefully over time. The finish is big, and lingers with dark red berry fruit and toasted oak.

44% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
30% MERLOT
26% CABERNET FRANC

Celebrate with a magnum!

Wine Spectator 92 points.