2021 Stagiaire ‘Sequences & Series’ Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains

On the same property as my Viognier that becomes Plastic Stars, there grows some Cabernet Franc on a North and East facing hillside at higher elevation that was planted in the 70s and 80s. Dry farmed and organic from day one. The vines flourish over Saratoga and the Silicon Valley. An idiosyncratic juxtaposition of California and the bay areas tug of war between its agricultural history and current capitalistic sprawl.

Destemmed. Macerated for a week with two pumpovers a day. Imagining extracting as much fruit as I could before much alcohol was present and tannins and bittering components were released. In barrel for a year and it has been in bottle for a year now as well.

A lighter, juicier, and crunchier style of cabernet franc. Think natty Chinon. Or Francois St Los cooler vintages. Tart Black berry brambles. Blueberry pie(more like poptarts but pie sounds fancier). Nerds rope(yes that one semi obscure candy). Fennel and cumin and coriander. Organic earthly compounds like rusted nails, the richest humus in the most regenerative and loved garden, beetroot, green and white pepper.

Likes a slight chill. Drinks way too easy for its depth.

– Stagiaire