Crocker & Starr AVA Cabernet Franc Red Blend 2019
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
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Jeb Dunnuck
The deep ruby/purple-hued 2019 A.V.A. Red Blend of Cabernet Franc checks in as 68% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. It’s a ripe, medium to full-bodied, incredibly silky expression of this variety and has lots of darker, almost black fruits (currants, blackberries) as well as perfumed notes of spring flowers, tobacco, graphite, and earth. Aged 22 months in 60% new French oak, it’s balanced, has polished tannins, and a great finish. Drink bottles any time over the coming 15 years or more.
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Wine Enthusiast
This rich, saturated, chocolaty blend of Bordeaux grape varieties led by 68% Cabernet Franc is supersmooth in texture despite fine-grained tannins that add some structure and balance. Aromas of blueberry, dark chocolate and vanilla lead to very ripe black fruit flavors accented by coffee beans and mint.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 A.V.A. Napa Valley Blend of Cabernet Franc is composed of 68% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple colored, it slips easily out of the glass with crushed redcurrants, kirsch and blackberry preserves with hints of bouquet garni and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy, it has a lively backbone and plenty of red and black fruit flavor layers, finishing with an herbal lift.
Rating: 92+
Other Vintages
2020-
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Dunnuck
Jeb
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
St. Helena is in the heart of the Napa Valley, nestled between Calistoga to the north and Rutherford on its southern border. On its western side, the Mayacamas Mountains guard it from the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean; to its east stand the Vaca Mountains. In conjunction, these mountain ranges serve to lock in summer daytime heat. But in the evening, cool air from the San Pablo Bay funnels up through the valley, creating very chilly nights. It isn’t uncommon for temperatures to drop 50 degrees, a shift that promotes a balance of sugar ripeness and acidity in wine grapes.
St. Helena contains a plethora of different soil types in a small area, which have been enhanced over centuries by rain runoff from both mountain ranges. Its vineyards cover a variety of terrain, spreading across the bucolic valley floor and its benchlands.
These ideal topographic and climatic growing conditions easily caught the attention of early winemaking pioneers. In fact, St. Helena is the birthplace of Napa Valley’s commercial wine industry. Dr. Crane founded his cellar in 1859, David Fulton in 1860 and Charles Krug in 1861.
Today there are no less than 400 separate vineyards planted within the 12,000 acres that make up the St. Helena appellation.
Revered most for its red wines based on Bordeaux varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, the St. Helena appellation is also a source of superior Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc.