2021 Capstone Cabernet Franc
2021 Capstone Cabernet Franc
Immediately the aromatics bring deep red and dark fruits, with a touch of graphite, licorice, and tarragon. The vintage showcases the delicate structure of the wine, bringing a moderate tannic presence. The density and length are highlight how Cabernet Franc responds to vintage, demonstrating a softer phenolic structure than sometimes attributed with this site.
In Stock
Composition / Blend
97% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
Size
750mL
Wine Specs
Varietal
Cabernet Franc
Vineyard Designation
Capstone
Alcohol %
13.9
Winemaker Notes
While possibly cliché nowadays, we have often referred to our approach to Cabernet Franc as inspired by Burgundy, rather than Bordeaux, meaning we look to embrace the natural aromatics of Cabernet Franc and not simply strive for high alcohol and power. Capstone has often been a bit of a departure in this style, due to its inherent exposure and ripening characteristics. The wine shows the power of the site and the vintage, a Cabernet Franc that is the closest to the Bordeaux paradigm in both structure and flavor profile. The winemaking is similar to our approach with Quaker Run Cabernet Franc, utilizing whole clusters in the fermentation, aging in a modest amount of new oak and relying on larger format barrels, but as the two sites are distinctly different, Capstone shows that site eclipses winemaking, and the wine is uniquely different.
Vineyard Notes
In the lively spirit of Virginia, 2021 was an exciting vintage for Early Mountain. It very much reflects the impact of site, with regions throughout the state experiencing highly varying climatic events, greatly influencing the dynamic range in fruit attributes.
Early spring, we gratefully saw few frost events, escaping significant fruit damage. Despite some early season rains, bloom-time in the vineyard was quite dry, allowing for a good fruit set. With warm daytime temperatures throughout most of the growing season, we saw high and even ripening throughout both Quaker Run and Early Mountain vineyards. The late season rains, leading to harvest were also accompanied by notable drying (this was doubly obvious when tending to our new plantings, which need water!). Overall, despite harvest-time rainfall, we could not have asked for a better result.