2016 Cabernet Franc

I was blown away by the 2016 Cabernet Franc, and it’s up with the finest expressions of this variety in California. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc aged 20 months in new barrels, it offers an incredible array of blueberries, blackcurrants, forest floors, spring flowers, and earth, with subtle background oak. Deep, powerful and full-bodied on the palate, it stays elegant and lively, with terrific purity and freshness. It’s a sensational Cabernet Franc to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. From high up off Adelaida Road, the Daou brothers continue to make a massive lineup of stellar wines. The 2016s are incredibly strong across the board and make the most of this brilliant vintage. In 2017, they opted to wait until after the heatwaves and then do extensive sorting, and this paid off brilliantly and I suspect they’ve made the top Bordeaux blends in the vintage. As I’ve said in the past, these wine compete with the best of Napa Valley and are some of the leading Bordeaux blends from Paso Robles.

The estate will start producing more Cabernet Franc going forward, but the 2016 Cabernet Franc Estate is a tiny production effort that's all varietal and aged in 100% new French oak. Plums, violets, leady herbs and hints of mint, with charred earth, give way to an incredibly concentrated, unctuous red that has building tannin and a great finish. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate, and I think is a step up over the 2015. This estate was created in 2010 by brothers Daniel and Georges Daou, and it lies high up off Adelaida Road. Along with l’Aventure and Booker Vineyards, this estate is unquestionably leading the charge with regards to Bordeaux varieties in Paso Robles.