As I’m a fan of Barnett’s Rattlesnake Cabernet, this was my first experience with their Cabernet Franc. Spring Mountain CabFranc is normally a slam dunk, so I was excited to try this.
Made up mostly of cab franc with a 23% splash of merlot, the longer this was open, the more the merlot expressed itself. The aromatics range from ripe red fruits like fresh raspberries, to more mild blue fruits like underripe blueberries all the way to dried black cherries and blackberries. On the palate, it’s very juicy and nimble...the weight here is effortless yet carries so much flavor. Staying true to cab franc, it’s floral with notes of potpourri and violets while also showing a good bit of dusty/mineral and herbal driven notes like black tea and cardamom dusted red and black berries at the finish. This was great with very little air, and I expect this to be at peak in the next year or two.
As I’m a fan of Barnett’s Rattlesnake Cabernet, this was my first experience with their Cabernet Franc. Spring Mountain CabFranc is normally a slam dunk, so I was excited to try this.
Made up mostly of cab franc with a 23% splash of merlot, the longer this was open, the more the merlot expressed itself. The aromatics range from ripe red fruits like fresh raspberries, to more mild blue fruits like underripe blueberries all the way to dried black cherries and blackberries. On the palate, it’s very juicy and nimble...the weight here is effortless yet carries so much flavor. Staying true to cab franc, it’s floral with notes of potpourri and violets while also showing a good bit of dusty/mineral and herbal driven notes like black tea and cardamom dusted red and black berries at the finish. This was great with very little air, and I expect this to be at peak in the next year or two.
Dec 9th, 2020
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
