2012 Cabernet Franc

 
Consensus: Starting its downhill slide, but still worth drinking. But don’t tarry too long…
Les Garagistes Cabernet Franc
  • VINEYARD:
    Elephant Mountain Vineyard
  • pH AT BOTTLING: 3.7
  • ALCOHOL: 14.5%
  • Just popped a Franc and I love it. Right in balance right now. Our 12s continue to impress.
  • Ah, Frankie, Frankie. It’s the only real strike against Elephant Mountain - this vineyard is just a little too hot for this varietal compared to our last vineyard, where it was absolutely transcendent. Here, it makes a fine beverage, but you have to really watch it (and pick a lot earlier than anyone else) or it’ll get too baked (cooked fruit), and that really plows under the varietal beauty. All that said, I think I may have figured out how to work with this vineyard’s fruit - the 2014 is smelling really beautiful, so my hopes are high.