The second vintage of our Crossroads Cabernet Franc was a true pleasure to craft. The more aromatic relative of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is often used as a blending grape; however, its history harkens back to the 17th century, and has seen a resurgence of bottlings dedicated to the varietal in recent years.
Cabernet Franc has been grown on our Oakville Estate as a blending varietal since the beginning, yet it is only recently we have seen the full potential of this as a single varietal wine as the vineyard has reached almost 30 years old. The 2021 vintage was a gift from Mother Nature, revealing wines of great concentration and flavor. This was especially evident in the limited Cabernet Franc lots stemming from our 5 acres on the Northeastern corner of the Estate.
We often speak about our wines in terms of music — our blends are synonymous with a symphony, with each contributing varietal being as crucial to the whole as each instrument in an orchestra. Conversely, there is a beauty to featuring a solo artist and focusing on the talents of one varietal. It allows us to highlight the versatility of our Oakville Estate through the lens of Cabernet Franc.
The 2021 presents an intriguing bouquet of red garden roses and fresh pomegranate, complemented by a hint of dusty black pepper and dark Bing cherries. Light notes of tobacco leaf and fresh pencil shavings add another layer, showcasing the versatility of this variety. The youthful energy and breadth of character is balanced by a select lot of Cabernet Franc, aged for 20-months in terracotta amphora, before blending it together with the other Cabernet Franc lots. The impact is felt in the texture and length, creating a softer and more rounded finish to complement the brightness of the fruit profile.
A small vintage with only 261 cases made, we’re thrilled to share this limited release with you.
All the best,
Samantha Rudd