Hook & Ladder
2011 Russian River Valley Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc •Los Amigos Ranch
California: Sonoma County: Russian River Valley
Mission Briefing
Like Silk
Today’s Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery 2011 Russian River Valley Cabernet Franc had everyone on our tasting panel raving. We have had the great fortune of featuring the two previous vintages of this wine, and we all agreed that this 2011 vintage is the best yet!
Today’s stunning wine is lively, juicy, and delicious, with not a flaw in sight. The finish is the absolute highlight: silky and almost impossibly soft.
Cabernet Franc is one of our favorite varietals here at The Wine Spies, and today’s offering from Hook & Ladder is a wonderful example of the best aspects of the varietal. If you haven’t tried one lately, or aren’t familiar with Cab Franc, today’s elegant, well-balanced, and very approachable wine is the perfect way to get started!
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Dark scarlet hued at the center of the glass, with a radiant purple-red encircling the glass. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Deep and aromatic, with sweet plum, black cherry, and ripe blackberry quickly followed by fresh berry bramble, soft baking spice, and hints of sage. |
| Taste: | Well balanced and absolutely delicious fruit notes of fresh strawberry and dark boysenberry mingle with sweet tobacco leaf, espresso bean, dark chocolate, black peppercorn, and touches of clove and cinnamon. |
| Finish: | Incredibly supple on entry, the lengthy finish is quite elegant, with the dark fruit slowly trailing away into hints of sweet earth. |
| Pairing: | A perfectly grilled duck breast, served with a sour cherry balsamic reduction. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Jason DeLoach
- Appellation
- Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
- Vineyard
- Los Amigos Ranch
- Fruit Variety
- 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot
- ABV
- 14.3%