Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2021, Sonoma/Napa, California

“The 2021 Cabernet Franc embodies the best that this grape has to offer. An initial hint of strawberry gives way to aromas of graphite and sunbaked river stone, all of which are framed beautifully by savory notes that include white pepper and hints of summer truffles.” Appellation: 53% Sonoma County, 47% Napa County. Fermentation: Stainless steel. Cooperage: French oak. Blend: 81% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. “Our goal is to make intensely flavored wines that reflect and honor our unique growing situation at 2100’ elevation. Our vineyards mainly face south and are above the fog layer which results in vines bathed in sunshine from morning to evening throughout the growing season. Our morning low temperatures are much higher than in the surrounding valleys while our afternoon high temperatures are much lower. Due to this, our vines are physiologically active for most of each 24-hour period during the ripening season even if the grapes do not ripen faster than in the valleys due to our cooler afternoon temperatures. These distinct growing conditions result in big red wines that are on the black-fruit side of the ripeness spectrum but that nonetheless are loaded with varietal character and a nice amount of acidity on the finish.”