“A textural dream…” – The Tasting Panel

But we’re wide awake?!?!

Ever want to lap up primo Napa Cab Franc that feels like a triple digit bottle, minus the triple digit price? This one won’t cost you $100-200, but it drinks like it should. Just under $50… done deal!

Also make sure you have phones out for our Appy Friday wine, cuz not everyone drinks red.😂 We LOVED their Sauvignon Blanc equally, hint, HINT!

Who’s the LEGEND behind it? HINT Someone… who racked up serious scores for the 2022 vintage. As in 95 points twice: The Tasting Panel calls it “Right Bank style” and Owen Bargreen raves about “a gorgeous edition of this wine…”

Hmmm who is this legend? …one whose Napa resume goes back to the 90s, quietly building one of the most respected names in mountain wines?!?! But 1st a little Napa Wine Trivia, coming right up.

Acumen. Founded 2012 by Eric Yuan (Napa entrepreneur, not the tech Eric Yuan, we checked) to build a serious mountain estate on Atlas Peak. Forbes called it “a shining new star,” and for the last decade this operation has quietly stacked up recognition for powerful, classically styled mountain wines. Founding winemaker Denis Malbec, a Château Latour veteran, built the house style alongside Henrik Poulsen. Today the chair belongs to Phillip Titus so there’s your Napa trivia payoff.

Titus spent 35 YEARS as Chappellet’s winemaker, at the Pritchard Hill estate that helped define serious Napa Cabernet, racking up 100-point scores along the way. He was also making Chappellet’s Cabernet Franc too (super small production, usually only sold at the tasting room), for over a decade. According to Wine Business Eric Titus is “the New World’s most distinguished winemakers, and a master at crafting mountain grown wines.” Long before Acumen, he was obsessed with Franc while running his own family label, Titus Vineyards, with a Cabernet Franc that shames many others.

The fruit is 100% estate grown on Acumen’s two Atlas Peak vineyards, Attelas and Edcora, both organic certified, both above 1,000 feet, an elevation 3% of California’s grapes ever see. (bonus trivia payoff).

Pull the cork and give it a minute and several BIG swirls, cuz this one is a little shy right out of the bottle. Once it opens, it really comes out and shines and greets you with ripe blackberry and black raspberry, red pepper leading, backed by a savory streak of thyme that keeps you engaged. On the palate, it is full bodied with round tannins wrapped around real structure. The oak shows up next, toasty and laced with dark cocoa. There’s a warm vanilla spice note that carries all the way through a long finish. This is a serious Franc that makes no apologies! The complexity comes straight from the blend. 77% of the main act, with supporting roles from 15% Cabernet, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. It’s is a big-bodied Cab Franc, so feed it accordingly. Herb crusted lamb chops, a rosemary rubbed ribeye off the grill, or a hunk of aged gouda or sharp cheddar all hold their own against it.

No ifs, ands, or Francs about it! Get the last of this double 95 pointer for $49 after 55% OFF

95 Points – The Tasting Panel “With the addition of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, this Right Bank style red from Acumen’s mountain estate is a textural dream. Refined tannins are displayed thoroughly through the sensation of melting dark chocolate and luscious, creamy violets. Plum pudding arises with a weave of sage, tobacco, and cedar.”

95 Points – Owen Bargreen “The 2022 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous edition of this wine by winemaker Phillip Titus that has small portions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This is plump and round on the mouth with red bell pepper and creosote tones that mingle well with garrigue, dark currants and good underlying verve considering the heat of the vintage. Full-bodied and already nicely evolved, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040.”