Titus, Cabernet Franc 2015, Napa Valley, California

Tasting Note: A Napa Valley cabernet franc with body and finesse that presents a different, California take on the grape.

Deep purple to ruby in color this wine has a warm, aromatic nose of overripe red and black fruit including red plum, strawberry, red currant and some black cherry along with vanilla and clove baking spice and peach stone fruit essence.

On the palate the plush, medium-plus-bodied cabernet franc is also medium-plus in fine-grained tannin which takes over mid-to-back palate through to the finish.

The wine is soft in texture, with surprisingly fresh medium-minus acidity that rounds out the nearly 15% alcohol.

Compared to other warm weather California cabernet franc from Lodi and Amador County which tends to be fruit forward, this cabernet franc is more restrained on the palate.

The wine does not seek to imitate Loire Valley cabernet franc or replicate other warm weather California cabernet franc, but rather presents a warm weather version of the grape in what may be a developing Napa Valley cabernet franc style.