2017 Hunter Glenn Cabernet Franc is an excellent wine!
The Winery
To start out who is Hunter Glenn? It is a sister/brother duo of Caroline Shifflett and Jeffrey Shifflett, Jr. The name came about as Caroline’s middle name is Hunt and Jeffrey is Glenn. Changing the name to Hunter made more sense than “Hunt Glenn”!! The family has a long history in Napa Valley. It started in 1942 with the purchase of 120 acres in the foothills of the Mayacamas Range. Originally used for farming and later for cattle grazing, but in the late 1970’s they planted 60 acres of grapes. In 1981 the first Chardonnay was planted and from that point albeit with a few bumps in the road like Phylloxera, Pierce’s Disease and weather variables, they have endured to produce some outstanding wines over the last 30 years. Today they produce Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, a red blend and Cabernet Franc.
The Wine
A deep royal purple on the eyes and medium heavy viscosity. On the nose aromatics of blueberries and raspberries awaken the senses. On the palate, a round and soft Cabernet Franc, still with tannins but caressing instead of a sharpness or edginess. The finish has a hint of pyrazines (green bell pepper) and is mid-length. This is an easy drinking Cabernet Franc with or without food. The wine is aged 21 months in 50% new French oak barrels and only 81 cases were produced. The wine sells for $80.
The Food Pairing
Paired last evening with a beef noodle stir fry with Udon noodles with a homemade sauce. The ingredients consisted of beef top sirloin filet thinly cut, olive oil, sliced cremini mushrooms, broccoli, diced carrots, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, garlic, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper. After dinner and enjoying the second glass of wine, this proved to be extremely enjoyable and tasty with or without food.
Also other stories on Hunter Glenn Estate Vineyards wines can be found at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/01/22/hunter-glenn-2017-chardonnay-2016-syrah/
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2020/12/08/2018-hunter-glenn-chardonnay-understated-elegance/
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 