Photo: Caldwell Vineyard's Cabernet Franc vines. (Click to enlarge.)

2008 Harvest Report: Cabernet Franc: For years we harvested a special patch of Cab Franc on the top of Sonoma Mountain. Tasting of the wines, especially older wines, showed that they were often preferred over the neighboring Cabernet Sauvignon. They were difficult to distinguish from the best Cabernet Sauvignons. New owners and that dirty louse led to the demise of the vineyard. Brehm Vineyards three Cabernet Francs offer premier, front row billing as forceful, rich, complicated wines. We continue with the tradition in our present vineyards, vines and grapes. They are in the Chavel Blanc tradition and not just mid weight fruity wines. They excel in blends with Merlot and can play a backup role with Cabernet Sauvignon. The three vineyards are unique and quite different. The Caldwell old vine Cab Franc carries on the vineyard tradition of very high sugars and very mature phenolics. The very mature skins provide deep color and richness. These skins also allow the wine to be drunk, given the dilution with acidulated water has made the alcohol bearable, quite early. A customer informed me he received a silver medal from the American Wine Society Judging when the wine was but five months old. On its own or complicated with Suscol Merlot and a bit of Petite Verdot, this is what makes Napa great. The Russian River Cab Franc carried a relatively low crop this year. It has become the replacement for our former Sonoma Mountain Cab Franc. It has produced wonderful, classic wines over the last couple of vintages. A half-ounce of tartaric acid per pail, with later additions of yeast food will make fine Bordeaux styled wine. Consider blends with the Carneros Merlot, Russian River and Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon for classy Meritage style wine. The Nun's Canyon Cab Franc came in at the last moment with the Nun's Canyon Merlot. These are incredible grapes from an incredible vineyard. The plan is to start selling both these grapes at low prices. Within 2 years these grapes will be at, or exceed Caldwell Vineyard's prices. The extreme nature of this vineyard with its shale rocks, almost purple, red volcanic soil can only lead to outstanding wine. A blend of these two Mountain top grapes may be the high point of an expert's wine making career. All of these Cabernet Francs will please you.

Recommended Yeast: MT; D254