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Mission Codename: Red Rocks

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: After a protracted investigation of Kenefick Ranch, and a long absence of Cabernet Franc from our pages, direct Agent Red to infiltrate the winery – in order to procure an ample allocation of their prized, single vineyard, 2006 Caitlin’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Kenefick Ranch

Wine Subject: 2006 Caitlin’s Select Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley

Winemaker: Kent Jarman

Backgrounder: Cabernet Franc is one of Agent Red’s favorite red varietals. Perhaps this is because its flavors are often rich, layered, complex and elegant. Or, perhaps he loves Cabernet Franc so much because it pairs so exceptionally with many different foods. One of the most notable things about Cabernet Franc is the fact that finding excellent examples can be very difficult. Read Red’s tasting notes and winemaker interview below, for the full intel on today’s superb wine.

Kenefick Ranch grows grapes for some of the finest ultra-premium wine houses, including Robert Mondavi, Rosenblum, Plumpjack, and Joseph Phelps. Wines made from Kenefick grapes consistently score in the mid to high 90’s. Kenefick only holds back 10% of its grapes for its own use. A taste of today’s fantastic Cabernet Franc may tell you which 10% they use in their own wines.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Darkest ruby red with a darker, slightly opaque core. At the edge of the glass, a lovely ring of bright ruby encircles the glass. After a hearty swirl, the wine settles quickly, leaving behind skinny legs that run very slowly down the glass.

Smell – Lush blackberry, black cherry, dark raspberry and dark chocolate are detected even before lifting glass to nose. On inhaling the wine, dark notes of plum, dark leather, tobacco and cigar box mix with dark violets, sweet spice and toasty oak.

Feel – Initially cool and soft on entry, the wine becomes quickly grippy at the mid-palate, spreading a crushed-velvet dryness to the far corners of the mouth. This dryness combines with spice and bright acids to sustain flavors for a long time.

Taste – Rich, dark and packed with flavor, this wine leads with dark cherry, ripe blackberry, rich blueberry and dusty cocoa. As the wine breathes, it opens to reveal additional flavors of dried black flower petals, leather, tobacco, spice and toasty oak.

Finish – Very long and very dark, with black fruits slowly yielding, spice, leather, tobacco and sweet oak.

Conclusion – Highly recommended, this is the finest Franc I have laid my lips on in some time! This lovely 2006 Kenefick Ranch Caitlin’s Select Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley is a truly delicious wine. With big, dark flavors and heady aromatics, this Cab Franc delivers that best that this noble varietal has to offer. This wine is balanced, elegant and packed with intrigue – without any of the green character that can sometimes show up in this wondrous varietal. Very food-friendly, pair this wine as you would a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Zinfandel. Grilled steaks or a delicious pork roast would be an outstanding companion to this fantastic wine.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Kenefick Ranch Vineyard (not open to the public), where today’s wine was born, can be seen in this satellite photo.