2012 Cabernet Franc

This Library Release Cabernet Franc was crafted from grapes grown in our Valley View Vineyard, east of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley, and aged in French oak barrels. Fourteen years of careful cellaring have allowed this wine to evolve gracefully, revealing remarkable complexity and elegance.

Now displaying a deep garnet hue with subtle brick highlights, the once-vibrant fruit has matured into layered aromas of dried blackberry, black cherry compote, fig, cedar, tobacco leaf, and baking spice, complemented by hints of leather and forest floor. The French oak has integrated beautifully, lending notes of vanilla, toasted cedar, and warm spice without overshadowing the fruit.

On the palate, rich flavors of dark berry preserves, dried plum, and cocoa unfold alongside savory nuances and refined earthy notes. The tannins, once bold and chewy, have softened into a silky texture that carries through to a long, balanced finish marked by lingering spice and exceptional depth. This library Cabernet Franc is a testament to the aging potential of our Valley View Vineyard, offering a sophisticated expression of time, place, and careful craftsmanship.