Cornerstone Cellars
2011 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
California: Napa Valley
Mission Briefing
Uptown
It’s no secret that Agent Red loves his Cab Franc. Well, he was as giddy as we’ve ever seen him when he tried today’s Cornerstone Cellars 2011 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Franc.
One of the reasons Agent Red and so many others love Cab Franc is that it presents a more subtle and nuanced profile than Cab Sauv. For instance, in many high-end Napa Cab Sauvs, you’ll experience a wall of flavor and chewy tannins, without any secondary components. But with Cab Franc, especially wines like today’s, you get layer after layer of soft, delicate flavors, which make it an ideal choice to pair with a big meal or to sip on its own.
If you haven’t been converted into a Cab Franc lover yet, let today’s wine show you the way. We promise you’ll never go back!
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Great depth of color on this wine: a very dark crimson combines with inky magenta in the center, just inviting you in for a sip. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | The way Cab Franc should be made. Cherry and wild strawberry nearly leap from the glass, trailed by spice box, sweet tobacco leaf, dried rosemary, and rose petals. |
| Taste: | As inviting on the palate as it is on the nose, with slightly braised dark cherry, raspberry, and strawberry enveloping toasty brown baking spices, dried Provencal herbs, European cherry licorice, sandalwood, and freshly ground black peppercorn. |
| Finish: | So soft and silky when compared to a big Cab and shows just why Cab Franc (when done right!) is so special. A beautiful food wine, with racy acidity that excites and tantalizes the front of the palate. |
| Pairing: | A very traditional, and very delicious, roast leg of lamb, encrusted with loads of garlic, rosemary, and sea salt. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Jeff Keene
- Accolades
- 95 Points - Vinography, 94 Points - Wine Critic Chris Sawyer, 94 Points - The Drunken Cyclist
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Vintage
- 2011
- Composition
- 89% Cab Franc, 11% Merlot
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 50% new French oak
- ABV
- 14.5