Lamoreaux Landing, Cabernet Franc 2011, Finger Lakes, New York

Tasting Note: This tender red cuddles you unsuspectingly from behind.

Lamoreaux Landing’s ruby-colored, medium-intensity cabernet franc has a nose of black plum, black cherry and red cherry.

Like many Finger Lake cabernet francs the wine is translucent – i.e. not concentrated and opaque.

Of all the things I’ve had to reset my expectations with cabernet franc from the Finger Lakes, getting over an automatic expectation of concentrated, deep-colored wine, is number one.

On the color-intensity spectrum this wine is deeper in color and more concentrated than most. On the palate this cab franc is lighter in body than suggested by its visual appearance.

Aromas on the nose carry to the palate but more delicately than they do on the nose.

Drinking Sheldrake’s cab franc is like drinking silk – fine, delicate, not angular – flowing. This cabernet franc counters your expectations and introduces you to something new.

Try it if you want to reset your cab franc expectations and taste where pinot noir will need to compete in the future to keep you from developing an appreciation for this under-the-radar seductress.

Bottle Note: Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars produces this award-winning Cabernet Franc from our estate grown vineyards overlooking Seneca Lake. A vertically split trellising system is a utilized to maximize sun exposure in the vineyards, while 18 months of American oak barrel aging in the cellar provides intensity and weight on the palate. Visit us in Lodi when you are in the Finger Lakes Region.