2020 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Franc – A Great Surprise!
The Background
As many readers know, I hold the Annual Cabernet Franc Wine Competition & Celebration. So while enjoying may Cabernet Franc wines from around the USA and many countries, I am always amazed when a “new to me” Cabernet Franc shows up. This was the case of Ancient Peaks Cabernet Franc being given to me from a good friend who was visiting the greater Paso Robles AVA recently. This was just opened the other night, thinking it would be “just another Cabernet Franc” from Paso, especially from Santa Margarita Ranch sub-AVA. Was I ever so surprised!
The Winery
Photo from Ancient Peaks Website
Have not tasted Ancient Peaks Cabernet Franc, nor really aware of their winery. The winery was founded by Karl Wittstrom, Rob Ross and Doub Flipponi. Mike Sinor has been the founding winemaker since the first vintage in 2006.
Map from Ancient Peaks Website
Once understanding that the property contains five unique soil types: rocky alluvium, ancient sea bed, granite rock, shale and volcanic you can now understand their “unique label” featuring the soil types. On the property they make white wines of Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Red wines produced include, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Malbec and red blends. They even produce a fermented mead, produced from honey bees. The estate is comprised of 14,000 acres and 900 acres are under vines.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2020 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Franc wine was dark and opulent on the eyes and with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, cherry and blackberry wafted into the senses beckoning and drawing one to partake in a sip. In the palate, the aforementioned fruits burst into a parade of flavor profiles, coupled with plum and secondary flavors of coffee and vanilla. The finish was expressive with grippy tannins and an intense structure, not typical of Cabernet Franc from the region. A real surprise and welcomed treat!
The wine consists of 92% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot. Their limited-edition offering was hand selected from their finest vineyard rows and aged for 23 months in 50% new French oak. The price is $50/bottle and belongs in their Pearl Collection. The wine comes in at 14.9% and extremely smooth.
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
This section is where it is usually paired with a meal, but not knowing the wine, nothing was paired with it this evening. For sure the next bottle will be paired with one of our “prized dinner offerings”.
As I was writing this quick review, I made contact with the winery for a complete story and tasting of their wines in the coming months.
Sláinte,
Michael