2022 Riverside Cabernet Franc, Oak Knoll District

Appearance: Medium to deep ruby-garnet with brilliant clarity and youthful vibrancy, displaying the elegant concentration typical of well-made Cabernet Franc from cooler climate sites. The wine exhibits excellent transparency with a luminous core, framed by bright crimson highlights that reflect the cooling marine influence and extended hang time of the Oak Knoll District. Medium viscosity creates graceful, well-defined tears that flow smoothly down the glass, indicating balanced extraction and the unique influence of concrete and French oak aging from this riverside terroir.

Aroma: The bouquet is immediately captivating and distinctly varietal, showcasing the complex phenolic development that comes from the Oak Knoll District's cooling marine influence and diurnal temperature shifts. Primary aromas of red cherry and raspberry lead, layered with blackcurrant and subtle bell pepper notes that define classic Cabernet Franc character. The vineyard's position along the Napa River contributes distinctive mineral complexity through wet stone and graphite notes, while the east-facing blocks' morning sun exposure adds bright red fruit and floral violet nuances. The unique aging regimen - 12 months in concrete followed by 12 months in French oak (40% new) - has created remarkable integration, with the concrete contributing pure fruit expression and mineral clarity, while the French oak adds subtle vanilla, cedar, and warm spices without overwhelming the varietal character.

Taste: The entry delivers the refined elegance and complexity that makes Oak Knoll District Cabernet Franc so distinctive. Bright red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry dominate, supported by layers of blackcurrant and subtle cassis that showcase the extended hang time and phenolic development. The classic Cabernet Franc herbaceous notes appear as subtle bell pepper and dried herbs, adding complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The deep alluvial soils express themselves through mineral-driven earthiness and river stone notes, while the cooling marine influence maintains remarkable freshness and acidity. The innovative aging program creates seamless integration - the concrete fermentation preserving pure fruit character and mineral clarity, while the French oak contributes vanilla, cedar, and sweet spices that enhance the wine's natural complexity.

Body: The mouthfeel perfectly embodies the finesse and elegance that comes from the Oak Knoll District's unique terroir and the innovative concrete-to-oak aging regimen. Medium to full-bodied with refined, well-integrated tannins that provide structure without overwhelming the delicate fruit character typical of great Cabernet Franc. The concrete aging has contributed to a pure, clean texture with remarkable mineral clarity, while the subsequent French oak aging adds subtle roundness and complexity. The wine feels elegant and sophisticated, with a silky quality that coats the palate gently, demonstrating both immediate appeal and the structural foundation for continued development.