2019 Middle Oak Wines Cabernet Franc – Second Time Is The Charm!
The Winery and Background
Photo from Middle Oak Wines Facebook
Christina Skinner is the owner of a small, woman-owned and family operated winery in Friendswood, Texas. Friendswood is located 23 miles southeast of Houston. Christina being a devoted artist (music and painting), had a dream to be involved with wine and the wine industry. After much studying, her dream came to life in the fall of 2021 with the introduction of her 2018 vintage “The Middle C”. Her personal belief is that the arts and wines are intertwined disciplines. She sources her fruit from hand selected vineyards in Napa Valley, using organic, biodynamic and sustainable farming techniques producing beautiful fruit. Today, besides their Cabernet Franc, she produces Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Merlot, Red Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Christina is keeping production small focusing on the high quality producing 200 cases a year.
Christina launched a pilot wine club this past Fall with a great reception. Her near term goal is going to gradually increase her production and move to larger more functional and versatile space for her tasting room. One of the things she is most grateful for is that every single wine produced has won at least one medal/award, every year!
Photo from Rudy Zuidema
Christina was fortunate to meet and work with Rudy Zuidema, a winemaking star in Napa Valley. You can read a previous story on Rudy at:
In short, Rudy a UC Davis graduate in viticultural, has worked as a head winemaker, vineyard manager and general manager in Napa. His experiences at Cuvaison, Honig, Robert Craig, Ehlers Estate and White Cottage have provided some excellent background. He currently works at Shadybrook Estate and other projects include Napa De Oro Winery, Red Cap Vineyards and his own label Zuidema Wines. Rudy makes all of Middle Oak Wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is the second year Middle Oak Wines has entered the Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition. For the 2023 Competition held in March, Category 5 ($101 and up) for California (based grapes), they won a Gold Medal and Best of Class from the People’s Choice Judges. The Professional Judges gave Middle Oak Wines a Silver. So the second time is the charm.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is Christina’s favorite wine that she produces. Her “Middle C” Cab Franc on the eyes is a lush dark ruby and purple coloring and is medium-full bodied viscosity. On the nose, black cherry is the predominate aroma that wafts into the senses followed by raspberry and herbal notes. On the palate, flavors of black cherry reign with hints of dark chocolate and a skosh of vanilla with a minimal amount of pyrazines. The finish is simply remarkable, smooth with structured velvety tannins, yet soft and rounded to be noticed but not overwhelm your mouth. This wines sells for $105 and only 24 cases were produced. They used only French oak, with 100% being new for 12 months then transferring it to neutral barrels for another 12 months. It is comprised of 91% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a seasoned and seared BBQ’d rib eye steak and served medium rare. Accompanied by a freshly homemade potato salad and Zesty Pepper Corn Salad (red bell peppers, halved grape tomatoes, black beans, cooked yellow corn kernels, chopped avocado, chopped cilantro and salt/pepper to taste). And the dressing was made with shallots, minced garlic, lime zest, lime juice, red chili flakes and extra-virgin olive oil.
This was a perfect pairing on so many levels with this wine! Just enough tannins to cut through the meat and plenty of fruit to counterbalance the Corn salad. It was also a welcomed wine with the outside temperatures reaching 106 yesterday!
Sláinte,
Michael