Crazy about Cab Franc

Of the Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Franc has always been a favorite of mine. Usually a tad bit lighter in body compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc generally offers supple tannins; a ripe, fruit-forward palate; and a hint of exotic spice. I have blogged about Cab Franc from boutique producers such as Titus, Crocker & Starr and David Arthur; now I can add Cornerstone Cellars to that list.

The 2010 Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Cabernet Franc is an approachable Napa Valley red with distinction. With savory aromas of red pepper and dried herbs, it is quite different than its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart. This Franc offers super-smooth tannins, bright acidity, and luscious red berry flavors. Blended with 8% Merlot, this wine is aged in 100% French oak (50% new). It is youthful and bright; enjoy it now or hold on to it for a couple years.

Cabernet Franc is a unique wine because less than 3% of Napa Valley vineyards are planted to this varietal.  Cornerstone produces less than 800 cases of Cab Franc and sources the fruit from vineyards in St. Helena and Carneros. It was a great match for the homemade spaghetti Bolognese with sautéed mushrooms and fresh basil I cooked for dinner last week. At $35/bottle, this wine offers value and food-pairing flexibility. Find it in their Yountville Tasting Room, which is mentioned in my debut novel Where I Want to Be: A Wine Country Novel, or order it directly from their website. Cheers!

Carneros Appellation Recommendations

Many people don’t realize how many fantastic tasting rooms there are halfway to Napa! Less than 30 miles from San Francisco, the Carneros appellation provides lots of places to whet your palate...

On a recent trip to celebrate a friend’s thirtieth birthday, our first stop was Gloria Ferrer. Sitting outside on the terrace is a wonderful experience on a clear, sunny day. Instead of ponying up to the counter, you can sit back and enjoy the views while the hospitality staff delivers your choice of a tasting flight or glasses table-side. I highly recommend the 2004 Royal Cuvée ($32/bottle). A blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, this delightful sparkler offers citrus and stone fruit notes balanced by toast and rich yeasty aromatics. The 2007 Blanc de Blanc ($32/bottle) is also very pleasant with refreshing green apple flavors and crisp minerality!

Less than a mile down the road is the tasting room for Anaba Wines. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve driven by this tasting room a thousand times as I speed up the Carneros Highway (Route 12) to downtown Sonoma or Napa.

With no appointment necessary, I popped into the Anaba tasting room last week a few minutes after 5 PM (yes, they stay open until 5:30!). The tasting menu features many vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs as well as Rhône varieties and blends. I was very impressed with the variety!

I highly recommend the 2010 Anaba Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($32/bottle). It is a deliciously drinkable wine with lots of lovely dark fruit and subtle complexity. A blend of fruit sourced from the famed Gap’s Crown Vineyard and Sun Chase Vineyard (both sites are part of the Petaluma Gap), this Pinot is aged in 35% new French oak barrels. With a whisper of oak and silky dust-like tannins, you can enjoy this wine on its own, with salame and cured meats, pizza, roast chicken or even fish like salmon and tuna. This wine can be ordered direct from the winery, enjoyed by-the-glass at Restaurant Picco, or purchased at Main Street Wine Bar.

Other tasting rooms worth checking out in Carneros include Domaine Carneros, Cline Cellars, and Nicholson Ranch. There’s also Schug, Etude, and Acacia (which I haven't visited yet but they are on my list). Cheers!

Buccella Merlot, a wine fit for the holidays

If a bottle of Buccella Merlot went to a party solo, let’s just say that it would be the most revered guest. Everyone would be clamoring for an introduction! With its simple oval-shaped label, dark red wax seal, and broad shoulders, it’s a very handsome bottle. No one would dismiss this wine for being a Merlot and it would certainly leave a lasting impression on the other guests.     

With an elegant, gift-wrapped appeal, the 2009 Buccella Merlot ($90/bottle) has special occasion written all over it. And thus, perfectly appropriate for this time of year...whether you take it to a party or enjoy it at home!

 This wine opens with an attractive perfume of violets, plum, and dark berry fruit. The dark hue and concentration in the glass are telltale signs of its firm tannins and rich texture. Sure enough, the mouthfeel is powerful and complex, with layers of ripe fruit, spicy oak, and cocoa. Cherry cola, cassis, and a hint of blueberry harmonize on the palate, supported by a tight tannins and good acidity.

Yes, you read that right. It’s a Merlot that drinks like a Cabernet Sauvignon (in fact, 4% of the final blend is Cab from Yountville vineyards). I enjoyed it with friends and a perfectly prepared steak; it would also be terrific with pork roast, seared duck breast, or lamb. The Merlot grapes are sourced from Hyde Vineyard in Carneros and its aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak (no wonder!). Just over 300 cases produced.

Delicious wine. Super sexy packaging. Too good to pass up!

Available online at Stash Wines. The 2010 vintage is available from the Buccella website. Cheers!