PHOENIX VINEYARDS

1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc

Winemaker's Notes:

Varietal %s: 81% Cabernet Franc, 14% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot (100% Napa Valley)

Date of Harvest: Oct. 20 and 26, 1997Brix at Harvest:24.5 Brix

Length of Ferment: 6-8 days with 16 days additional skin contact time on avg.

End Alcohol: 13.8%

Time in Oak: 15 months in a mix of 35% 2-year old French and American Oak with the remainder in 4-year old French Oak barrels

Bottling Date: March 30, 1999 (No fining or filtration) 170 cases produced

The 1997 vintage was superb in the Napa Valley; this wine is a prime example of the conditions. It was a larger than average crop that had one of the earliest harvests on record in California. This was after the earliest budbreak we had ever seen so the fruit got the necessary time on the vine for the color and characters to develop fully. We also had the benefit of having very dry conditions in the spring (the driest February, March, and April on record in Northern California). This led to very healthy, high quality grapes.

The color of the wine is the first aspect that strikes you; its deep, bright red-purple color is a hint to what lies within. The aromas are very fruity and bright, showing cherry, plum and raspberry/framboise. These flavors carry into the palate with a full texture in the mouth elevated by the wines natural acidity. This wine is a prime example of the characters one would expect from fully ripened grapes. It lacks the green, slightly weedy notes in flavor and aroma that can often plague this varietal. This wines acidity and structure should help it age for the next several years. Even though it may benefit from some further time in the bottle it is already showing quite well. It should pair nicely with dishes including duck, pork, or an osso bucco perhaps.