2021 Cabernet Franc
(97-99+) Points The Wine Independent
With a total production of 50 cases of the 2021 Cabernet Franc, this elegant powerhouse (80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec) all hails from highly-esteemed, volcanic Napa areas such as Atlas Peak, and our very own Rockwell Ridge estate vineyard (35 feet below Howell Mountain). Barrel aged 23 months in 90% New French and Hungarian Oak.
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Cabernet Franc
Appellation
Napa Valley
Aging
23 months - 90% new French and Hungarian Oak
Alcohol %
14.8
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
“Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with vibrant notes of kirsch, fresh blackberries, and black raspberries, developing fragrant notions of dark chocolate, lilacs, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is explosive, bursting with black and red berry layers and loads of minerally sparks, supported by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and multi-layered. They crushed it.” — The Wine Independent, (97 - 99 +) Points
Awards
“Another thrilling vintage for Hertelendy's Franc, the 2021 Cabernet Franc boasts exciting notes of violets, thyme and sage set against a backdrop of ripe cherries and blueberries. It's full-bodied, richly concentrated and plush, with a long, elegant finish. The only downside to a wine like this is that the volume to be bottled is minute, something around 50 cases or so.” — Robert Parker Wine Advocate, (96-98) Points
Vineyard Notes
"The beautiful 2021 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc is a sensational new bottling from this warm vintage. This offers rich red bell pepper tones alongside mocha, tar and sagebrush notes. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and wonderful sense of elegance. Rich dark and blue fruits parade with stony minerals and freshly tilled loamy soils on the palate. Finishing long this is a simply marvelous effort that has a long way in the cellar to go. Drink 2024-2044." — Owen Bargreen, 96 Points
Production Notes
"The 2021 Hertelendy Cabernet Franc is deep ruby; of the three vintages we tried, this wine shows the most herbal character, including a red chili spice, tomato leaf and green olive. The palate offers flavors of red cherry, cherry cola, and blueberry. This wine is well-layered on both the bouquet and the palate. The tannins are grainy and grippy in their youth with a finish that lingers with a light woodsy spice. This bottling is built on layers and complexity or as Ralph likes to call it, “the 50 shades of Hertelendy”. This wine finishes with flavors of red cherry, red plum and currant. Dusty finish. Notes of garigue. A chalky minerality. It is highly energetic showing plenty of youthful vibrancy. This is a wine we hope to taste with Ralph in another 10 years. The freshness on the finish is noteworthy. This wine needs plenty of time to open in its youth. Most of the grapes were sourced from Atlas Peak and the Silverado Bench." — The Napa Wine Project