“As her last name suggests, Jaime Araujo is no stranger to the world of cult Napa Cabernet… For anyone looking for a fresh, affordable Napa Valley experience, the gate is wide open at Trois Noix.” – The Wine Independent

Ok Cab Franc junkies… this one’s for you. This one had us doing a little shimmy happy dance. 😏

California single varietal Cab Franc - with 95 Points and down to $26 (gulp!) - doesn’t come our way often, so when it does, we pay attention.

Here is a name you might recognize… ARAUJO. As in Bart and Daphne Araujo, who built one of Napa’s most celebrated cult estates around the historic Eisele Vineyard. Then in 2013, Château Latour’s parent company bought it all, including the use of the family’s last name. Crazy. Imagine losing the rights to your last name?

While all THAT was happening, Jaime, their daughter, was deeply rooted in Europe with her own life in wine and theater. She flew back to manage the transition to the new owners. Then, her family looked around and said: what’s next?

Bart and Daphne Araujo launched Accendo Cellars. Jaime Araujo launched Trois Noix with her brother. The whole family started new chapters, new labels… Great winemaking talent went into this wine, like the recently appointed VP of Winemaking for Darioush earlier this year. Michael Tracy.

Happy dance Operatives??…** Are you ready to shimmy in your chair like we did when we tasted this wine? Everything we love about Cabernet Franc shines brightly in this wine. Black raspberry and rosehips lead the charge, layered with purple sage, fennel seed, and pink peppercorn. Lifted and lively from the first sip. Then a thread of red cranberry compote keeps everything vibrant, juicy, and fresh underneath. Medium bodied, beautifully integrated, gorgeous acidity, and chalky tannins that keep it playful all the way through the finish.

And the fruit for this wine, while not named on the label, includes fruit from the Oak Knoll District vineyard Muir-Hanna. Farmed by the actual direct descendants of John Muir. Sierra Club founder. The guy who convinced Teddy Roosevelt to protect Yosemite. This bottling? Just 5 barrels, and that’s it.

Originally $90. $26 here. Franc-ly Yes. Now shimmy.

95 Points – Wine Palate “Deep garnet‑purple colored, the 2022 Trois Noix Cabernet Franc (blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels (50% new). It needs a little shaking to wake up notes of black olives, pencil shavings, espresso, and red currants, leading to a core of fresh, ripe blackberries and Bing cherries. The full‑bodied palate is bright and sparkly, with a little toasty oak contributing nicely to the black‑ and red‑berry layers, framed by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a coffee‑bean note. Drink 2027-2045.”