Nose
Upon first sniff, you are enchanted by milk chocolate, cherry and tobacco. Return to be allured by hints of vanilla and white pepper.
Palate
On the palate, your senses are awakened to black cherry, tobacco, leather, and cedar held impeccably together by ripe tannins.
Growing Conditions
Previous to the 2016 growing season, Paso Robles saw four years of drought. There was great anticipation of what El Nino would bring, however, the rainfall was less than expected. The median winter temperature was warmer than average without a true hard frost. This was beneficial to the vines allowing them to remain in dormancy longer. Bud break across the AVA began in mid-April, which was slightly earlier than typical, and was followed by a somewhat cooler Spring. The summer including September was consistently warm, in fact the warmest since 2014, which led to a fast paced harvest.
Plummer Vineyard, located on the East side of Paso Robles where the Cabernet Franc planting was planted with a WSW to ENE row orientation, selected to reduce fruit exposure to direct sunlight during veraison. This unique row orientation has successfully reduced fruit sunburn and allows harvest “hang time” flexibility. Wines made from Plummer Vineyard fruit have consistently shown intense color and good acidity/tannin balance.
Harvest
October 5, 2016
Bottling
July 16, 2018
Aging
Aged 20 months in 20% New French oak.
Appearance
Our 2016 Cabernet Franc is deep ruby in color with relentless aromas.
