BARBOURSVILLE CABERNET FRANC RESERVE 2020

The estate took the lead in planting Cabernet Franc in Virginia in 1976, which revealed the varietals natural adaptability to our fluctuating climatic conditions, almost beyond comparison among red wine grapes. Nor was this adaptability unassisted by our famously temperate climate, for we found that certain vineyard blocks of Cabernet Franc will perform unpredictably better than others, in alternating growing seasons. Overall, moreover, we were discovering our weather patterns to be ideal for the balanced ripening of this varietal, raising it above its tendency in colder regions to exhibit green pepper as a signature of less ripeness, while avoiding the baked fruit effects of hotter regions.

TASTING NOTES

Dark garnet core, brilliant clarity in the glass. Intense, effusively luscious flavors of ripe red berries with caramelised notes of fig, cherry, and plum, elegantly woven together in barrel. Long-finishing and tannically vivid, yet with a remarkably soft palate.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Braised veal roast served with baby vegetables
Tagliolini with breast of duck rag
Roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic over soft polenta