2017 Oakville-East Cabernet Franc, Franc ‘N Stern – It’s Alive!
The Name: Franc ‘N Stern
The name is intriguing as is Elliot Stern, owner, who has called his Cabernet Franc, Franc ‘N Stern since the introduction. I met Elliot many, many years ago and went through his lineup of wines at his kitchen table. I immediately enjoyed his Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc. I have always kept both in the cellar as “trophy wines”. The Franc ‘N Stern Cab Franc is an easily remembered name and his wine notes are whimsical and play on the “Frankenstein” theme. His notes alone are price worthy.
The Wine
The wine is extremely dark purple with crimson red hues. On the nose, dark fruits, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate and fresh ground black pepper. On the palate, spices, including bell pepper, along with blackberries swarm the mouth with enticing polarizing flavors. Rounded tannins with some edginess provides a medium long finish. As Elliot states in his humorous notes, “IT’S ALIVE, IT’S ALIVE!! This wine retails for $100 and is worth every penny. At this year’s recent National Cabernet Franc Competition it received both a Gold and Silver Medals from two sets of judges.
The Food Pairing
Paired this evening with a flavorful Andouille Cajun Rice Skillet dish. The dish included brown rice, olive oil, sliced Andouille sausage, sliced red bell pepper, sliced yellow bell pepper, sliced yellow onion, minced fresh garlic, kosher salt, Cajun seasoning, tomato paste, sliced Roma tomato, minced parsley and shrimp added for good measure. Accompanied by a fresh garden salad. The meal was absolutely delicious but perhaps a bit too powerful for the wine. After dinner, the wine came to life and was spot on!!
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 