The 2021 vintage was a gift from Mother Nature. The year commenced with little rain, leading to an early budbreak with the second year of drought conditions in Napa Valley. Mild spring temperatures allowed for an easy renewal to the growing season with temperatures rising in the summer months, accelerating the start of harvest. The Oakville Estate harvest started early on August 27th, while our five acres of Cabernet Franc took additional ripening time, with our first pick occurring on September 9th and finishing just over a week later. A small yielding vintage revealed wines of great concentration and flavor, allowing us to create a beautiful expression of Cabernet Franc from our Oakville Estate for the second time in our history.
The second vintage of our Crossroads Cabernet Franc was a true pleasure to craft. 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 first sip is full of sweet red cherries and purple plums with a juicy acidity which lifts and expands the flavors across the palate. Threads of sweet black licorice, black currant, and savory green peppercorns are present as the wine’s tannins build in a perfectly polished and lightly chalky texture. 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 versatile wine ideal for any situation, we highly suggest enjoying a glass out on a terrace, late in the evening, under the stars.