2020 Force de la Nature Cabernet Franc
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Tasting notes
One of Napa's better 2020s, the 2020 Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature comes entirely from Block B of the Morlet's Oakville estate vineyard. It's floral and tea-like on the nose, backed by ripe black cherries and cedar, while the full-bodied palate is rich, creamy and lush, maybe even a touch warm. Impressively concentrated and ripe, it adds a hint of dark chocolate on the lingering finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Coming from vines right along To Kalon Creek, the 2020 Cabernet Franc Force De La Nature is more inward and structured compared to the Force Tranquille, with full-bodied richness and building tannins that are going to need some time to resolve. It has solid, darker slanted aromatics of blackcurrants, iron, and crushed stone, a dense, concentrated mid-palate, and outstanding length. It needs 4-5 years but should be long-lived. Given the rampant smoke taint in the vintage, these firmer, structured, closed 2020s all make me nervous, but this seems free of any smoke issues.
The 2020 Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature offers a more bombastic, dense expression of Cabernet Franc. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice are nicely amplified in this heady, opulent Franc. This is a huge, tannic wine that leaves me wondering whether it will ever be balanced.