HENDRY 2019 CABERNET FRANC NAPA VALLEY

I was drinking this glorious 2019 Napa Cab Franc from our good pal George Hendry last night and WOW!!  It’s a strikingly powerful must have.

I paired it with a rack of lamb, but Angela from Hendry Winery said a wine this rich needs a blue cheeseburger! Delicious.

If your wine cellar is in need of more full-bodied, sexy, dark spiced Cab Franc, this is your jam.

It’s perfect --- and at $42?  A best Buy! BUT!! Only a bit to go around today!

Strikingly complex, dense and aromatic, with a rich core of vivid, graphite-laced dark berry, loamy earth, underbrush and melted chocolate flavors. Gains depth and nuance on the finish."

When it comes to American versions of the Cabernet Franc grape, there seem to be two distinct camps.  One looks at Franc like Sauvignon and aims for riper, silkier, more powerful wines that show a lot of texture, polish and class.  Crocker & Starr, Kenzo and Dalle Valle are a few producers that immediately come to mind as doing a great job and George Hendry would be a tortch bearer with this new 2019 Cabernet Franc Release.

The second school of thought  includes producers making an American Cabernet Franc that more approximates the so-called Bistro style so prevalent in the Loire Valley appellations of Chinon and Borgueil in France- lighter, less extractive and more fragrant versions of the grape that take advantage of its natural tendency towards making earthy, peppery wines that float across the palate rather than attack it.   Lang and Reed is an excellent example of this style.

This beautiful bottle was created as a food-friendly offering with complex fruit character and power.   This is a highly nuanced Cabernet Franc that emphasizes fragrance and texture. 

Really…..a case is not too much!