2021 LXV Wines Cabernet Franc – Their Tradition Continues, Back to Back Vintage Winners!
The Wine Tasting Experience
Photo from LXV Wines website
A unique experience from a unique culture to the wine industry. Neeta Mittal is the owner of LXV Wines. It started in India in a village south of Mumbai, where her mother lives and frequently visits the spice market to find fragment herbs for Tandoori Masala. The goal of Neeta is unconventional in that her goal is to open up as she states “the restrained jargon of pH and acidity” to flavors and senses. The LXV Wine experience at the tasting room in Paso Robles was named to the Top 10 by USA Today. The end goal is to create at their tasting room “a movement that inspires and heightens moments, and that transcends the personal, business and community”. Lofty goals for sure and she is obtaining them often. I was privileged to enjoy a home cooked meal last December with various Cabernet Franc wines, and the creativity and uniqueness was so far beyond any typical food and wine pairing.
Just as unique was how they found Paso Robles! Her husband Kunal and she on a flight wanted to land at Oceano’s county airport, but being fogged in, they detoured and landed at Paso Robles. They immediately made the most of this unexpected arrival and connected with the people of Paso Robles. The land also reminded them of India.
They hired consulting winemaker Jeff Strekas with his background from Napa and Bordeaux style of wine making that was a match for Neeta and Kunal. Jeff’s creativity and willingness to experiment in new varietals that Neeta enjoys like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Semillon have proven excellent. Additionally he has adapted to Kunal in his love for Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are situated mostly around Paso Robles on some of the most pristinely manicured and hand selected vineyards.
The tasting room just off the main square in downtown Paso Robles has three separate areas to taste their exquisite wines- the main tasting lounge, the Cellar room and the outdoor patio. At each location, besides the wine, flavor samples are available with simply exotic spices and aromas. For example Irish Monk – dulse flakes, miso, pink peppers, amchur, cardamom and black vanilla. Another is Chai Garm Chai – black tea, tulsi, green & black caardamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, rose petals. Currently seven other tastings are available with various wines.
The 2020 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine won the Grand Sweepstakes Award at the 4th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition in April 2023 from the Professional Judges. This was the first time they entered and walked away with a “ton of hardware” including Gold Medal, Best of Class and Best of Show/Division for their price category ($76 to $100).
Now the 2021 LXV Wines Cabernet Franc – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I was given a “sneak preview” of LXV Wines 2021 Cabernet Franc and it was equally as good as the 2020! On the eyes an enticing dark cavernous purple coloring. On the nose, raspberries and lavenders reach out to the senses. On the palate is where the wine shines with fruit including blueberries and vanilla. The finish shows a depth of structure and spices of white pepper and sage. Unique is the smoothness of caressing velvety tannins. So uniquely smooth and enjoyable. Their notes include “structure of Chinon (France) and the aromatics of Bourgueil! Laced with herbaceousness, blessed with copious fruit”. In the production, the grapes were fermented 17 days using short and gentle pump-overs to avoid over-extraction and with predicated result. Aged in 40% new French oak barriques and puncheons for 20 months. While having a wide ranging taste it is only 14% alcohol.
The 2021 wine will be released in August and will sell for $95. I am sure if any is left by March of 2024 for the 5th International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition it will win many awards!! Now both the 2020 and 2021 Cabernet Franc wines from LXV Wines have made my list of Best Wines Tasted for 2023 that is published annually in December.
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
At dinner it was paired with braised beef ribs, blackened salmon with sauce, baked beans, Russet potato and dessert was a pineapple upside down cake. The braised beef ribs were so delicious with the wine and made a lovely pairing. Paradoxically the wine was brawny enough to go with the beef and yet “light hearted” to be enjoyed with salmon. Dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jaime Alderete, Verona18 Restaurant, for the Copper Valley Invitational that was absolutely delicious!
Sláinte,
Michael
June 6, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Nice article. I really liked that wine.
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July 11, 2023 at 6:35 pm
This is Rochelle from Sea Shell Cellars
We have a cab Franc & would like to participate
Thank you