Nose
As you pour the 2017 Classic Cabernet Franc into your glass, you will be lost in the aromas of black cherry and cedar. An essence of violets and chocolate will remind you of your most romantic dream.
Palate
Upon tasting, you are treated to layer after layer of blackberry, cherry, clove and chocolate that will delight every nook and cranny of your palate. The finish continues on for what seems like minutes, but your subconscious will beg you to take another sip before the last one even fades away.
Growing Conditions
After five-drought impacted years, 2017 brought us a plentitude of fruit, due to above average wet winters in 2015 & 2016. The vintage did see some weather related curveballs. Early spring delivered heavy rains which impacted fruit set, but Mother Nature was kind providing a relatively mild summer. She must never be taken for granted as the heat turned up the final week of August, a heat wave lasting 7 days topping that scales at 112 degrees. The Central Coast had not seen this long and this high a heat wave in over 8 years. Temperatures returned to normal and we once again anticipated a normal harvest time, until the threats of severe thunderstorms loomed causing our decision to harvest a little earlier than we originally planned. Thankfully the cool nights allowed the grape flavors to develop, sugar levels to rise, and sustain the all-important acids.
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 23, 2017
Bottling
July 30, 2019
Aging
Aged in 40% new French oak.
