Cabernet
Franc is a challenging variety. My early
experiences with it at J. Lohr in the 1990s were less than satisfactory. Jerry Lohr wanted to make a big bold Cabernet
Franc in a Bordeaux-style. The grapes weren’t cooperating, and the methods of
vinification I was employing just weren’t up to it. We tried everything; crop reduction, leafing
in the fruit zone, long hang time, multiple pump overs, elevated fermentation
temperatures, and an extended cuvaison.
The color and depth just weren’t to be had. So, when Enver and Joe Salman asked me if I
wanted to try their Cabernet Franc my memories said “no” my curiosity said
“maybe” but my respect for what the Salman’s could do with Petite Sirah said
“yes”. I also took a different
perspective on the winemaking side and decided to let the grapes take me where
they wanted to go. I was done trying to
put a square peg into a round hole.
Our
Cabernet Franc is a medium-weight wine with soft supple tannins. It spends less than a year in barrel and is bottled
prior to the following harvest. It is
produced in more of a Loire Valley style than Bordeaux. For many producers Cabernet Franc is treated
similarly to Cabernet Sauvignon and extract and depth are key components. The Loire Valley style places more of an
emphasis on youthful charm and bright fruit and this is the type of wine we
aspire to produce from Cabernet Franc.
We manage the tannins, and the resulting wine is zesty and flavorful and
free of astringency. And in keeping with
our ‘house’ style the Jeff Runquist Wines Cabernet Franc is a delight when
consumed within a year or two of the vintage.
