2022 Road Less Traveled Cabernet Franc
100% Wallula Vineyard Cabernet Franc that has beautiful aromas and flavors of sea salt, bright Bing cherry, blueberry, violets, citrus rind, and mountain sage. This is a luxurious wine.
Dark red hue. Beautiful aromas of sea salt, bright bing cherry, blueberry, violets, citrus rind, mountain sage, dried tobacco, wet stone, and dry loamy earth. The mouthfeel is plush, rich and long with flavors of blueberry, cherry, sea salt, blood orange, dried herbs and toasted vanilla bean. The tannins are moderate in intensity and smooth. Enjoy through 2035.
Fermentation:
100% destemming with open-top fermentation. Fermented with Alchemy IV, CVRP, and RP15 yeasts. Punched down twice a day with 3 days of limited oxygen sparging. Peak fermentation of 30 C. Pressed at dryness after 15 days.
Élevage:
300-liter French Oak barrels, AnA Selection and Tonnellerie de Mercurey. Light-Long to Medium Long toast. 17% new. Native malo-lactic fermentation finished in barrel. Racked twice. Bottled after 27 months in barrel. No fining or filtration.
INGREDIENTS & ADDITIONS: Cabernet Franc grapes, yeast, organic and inorganic yeast nutrients, tartaric acid, and minimally necessary sulfur dioxide.
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal | 100% Cabernet Franc |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Wallula Vineyard |
| Appellation | Horse Heaven Hills |
| Vineyard | Wallula |
| Acid | 5.5 g/L |
| PH | 3.77 |
| Residual Sugar | <0.01 g/L |
| Alcohol | 14.60% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 01/28/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 168 |
93 points, Owen Bargreen, November 2025
Sourced from the Wallula Vineyard, this 2022 Cabernet Franc delivers medium bodied dark currant flavors alongside green peppercorns, orange bell pepper and Arabica bean on the palate. Fresh, fleshy and filled with bright acidity, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035.
100% Wallula Vineyard Cabernet Franc (56% clone 214, 44% clone 327)
