Our Wines: Cabernet Franc
2005 Persimmon Creek Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: While Cabernet Franc is a most suitable Bordeaux variety for cold climate grape growing, our challenge has always been achieving maximum varietal fruit profile – suggestions of sweet red berries with brown spice nuances – as opposed to the leafy green qualities also associated with the grape. The 2005 comes from our first planting of red wine grapes (in 2000), rising above the Persimmon Creek as it bends on a westward facing slope that enjoys full afternoon sun. Soil is exceptionally well drained, sandy and rocky, and high in quartz and mica content. As in the rest of the vineyard, rows are curved around the natural lay of the land, and close vine spacing plus aggressive canopy management of vertically trained vines are all factors leading to efficient photosynthesis, and ultimately Cabernet Franc of good color, fine tannin, and typical varietal perfume.
Winemaking: Appellation: Georgia
Dr. William Hardman, vigneron
Blend: 100% estate grown and bottled Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13%
Total Acidity: 0.653g/100mL
pH: 3.65
Harvested: October 16-17, 2005
Bottled: August 27, 2006 by hand, unfiltered
Cases: 250
Cellar and Fermentation: After picking the grapes at the peak of ripeness with a balance of phenolics, brix, as well as pH, the Cabernet Franc was carefully destemmed and gently transferred into stainless steel fermentation tanks where they fermented on the skins for over two weeks. Daily manual punch downs. Aged in new French oak (33%), American oak (33%), and Hungarian oak (33%). The cooperage was Demptos.
Tasting Notes: Bright, clear ruby and fruit-forward nose dominated by sweet raspberry notes. Smoky oak aromatic complexities, with suggestions
of cinnamon toast. Medium to full bodied on the palate, with nicely rounded entry and textured feel in the middle filled out by
moderate tannins, black and red berry fruit flavors and a handsome veneer of oak. Good, dry, firm finish.
The Vineyard: Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc – Red Wine of Destiny
Higher elevation, cooler climate viticulture favors Cabernet Franc above
other red wine grapes, owing to the advantages of its early budding and
tendency to race to maturity before cold or wet onslaughts of autumn. It
used to be thought of as a weaker cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon – and
indeed, Cabernet Franc as a red wine tends to be lighter in color, tannin
and body than Cabernet Sauvignon – but recent DNA studies have
shown that Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As in major parts of France’s Bordeaux (especially Saint-Émilion) and Loire River (we especially appreciate Chinon and Bourgueil) regions, Cabernet Franc has found friendly environs in Northeast Georgia. Our larger Cabernet Franc block, planted in 2000, rises from the bending creek on a westward facing slopes to take advantage of optimal exposure; the day-long sunlight and well drained, sandy, rocky soil (high quartz and mica content) contributing to full ripening. As in the rest of the vineyard, rows are curved around the natural lay of the land, and close canopy management of vertically trained vines are all calculated to capture the sugar, anthocyanin and phenols necessary for Cabernet Franc of good color, tannin, and the sweet, spiced berry qualities for which the grape is known.
Cabernet Franc may naturally give a softer, more fragrant style of red wine, but its genes are plenty strong; and besides, softer yet strongly scented red wines are thought of as the ideal match for today’s style of varied, multi-cultured, often highly seasoned or spiced cuisines.
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