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2017 Element Cabernet Franc “Equilibrium Wine Farm”

$75.00 / 750ml

25 Cases Produced

Dense in its concentration, with ripe black fruits, and just a hint of herbaciousness to remind us, this is cabernet franc! The wine is structured, with noticeable tannins, and a ripeness of fruit that delivers an intense impact, while the acidity keeps it focused. This wine has a mouth filling weight, and is beautifully textured. While it is impressive now, it will only improve with time.

This is one of the first wines we produced from our farm when we took over the farming in 2017. While the impacts of our farming are just beginning to show, the impacts of this site are evident none the less in the weight, body and structure of this wine.

Christopher’s Notes: This wine represents the first round of our single vineyard expressions from around the Finger Lakes. This wine hails from Equilibrium Wine Farm, which sits just east of the deepest part of Seneca Lake, north of Lodi. With its 25 year old vines dug deep into the gravel and clay loam, this site sets a naturally low yield, and produces wines with intense concentration and structure. These are volumous wines, and we believe, a perfect example of what can be produced in the Finger Lakes with respect for our climate and farming.

Cabernet Franc

A grape most traditionally associated with the Loire Valley (Chinon, etc.), it has seen only a moderate amount of attention outside of France. While there are some notable examples of great Cabernet Franc being made round the globe, they are limited. It seems as though the Finger Lakes may be a stronghold for Cab Franc in the new world.

A bit lighter than it’s much more popular offspring Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc excels without the ripeness that Cabernet Sauvignon so often seems to need. Add its thick skins with loose clusters that allow airflow and we have a grape that seems made to excel in our cooler, moist climate. To seal the deal, it is very cold tolerant.

We believe Cabernet Franc will be the iconic red grape of the Finger Lakes before long.