Kestrel Vintners, Wine Makers Select Series Cabernet Franc 2012, Yakima Valley, Washington

Tasting Note: This wine proves Yakima Valley has serious, cabernet-franc, winemaking skills.

Medium-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic nose of raspberry, red plum, red cherry, white blossom along with vanilla and cinnamon baking spice.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied cabernet franc reveals concentrated red-fruit flavors, and midpalate complexity ultimately completing with a long finish.

The wine is smooth in texture with ripe, well-integrated, medium tannin.

Impressive.

Bottle Note: What happens when passion and philosophy come together in perfect harmony in a wine? Kestrel Vintners’ Winemaker Select Series. Our passion demands the search for perfection even though we realize perfection is unattainable. The Winemaker Select Series is Kestrel’s opportunity to exhibit this passion and creative desire to strive for perfection. These wines express our artisan philosophy regarding the use of unique varietals and growing techniques coupled with experimentation of fermentation, aging and blending. From the grape to the glass you will experience our complete adoration of the process and result. We invite you to celebrate our passion and wine philosophy poured into every glass! Cheers!

Varietals – 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards – Olson. Bottles Produced – 6,000. Tons Per Acre – 3.5. Brix 25.2. Ph 3.73. TA 4.6. Notes – Abundant ripe fruit, floral, balanced and complex. Winemaker – Flint Nelson.