2021 LXV Wines Cabernet Franc – Continue Their Winning Ways!
Background
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For two years in a row their wine has won many awards at the Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition. First they won Best of Category ($76 to $100) as well as Double Gold Medals by the Professional Judges. The judges also awarded it Best Cabernet Franc for the California Division and Grand Sweepstakes winner overall! This is a commendable feat when going up against so many excellent wines, priced up to almost $200, from around the world!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The People’s Choice Judges also awarded Double Gold Medals for the California Cabernet Franc wines. Winning this many awards from two sets of judges, confirms it’s pedigree as a thorough bred and standout wine.
The Winery
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 a few times with their various Cabernet Franc wines, and the creativity and uniqueness was far beyond any typical food and wine pairing.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
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 has proven excellent. Additionally Jeff 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 cardamom, star anise, cloves, fennel, rose petals. Currently seven other tastings are available with various wines.
Today they offer besides a variety of “Bordeaux influenced wines”, and others like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Syrah and many more
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2021 LXV Wines Cabernet Franc was even better than their winning 2020! On the eyes an enticing dark cavernous purple coloring. On the nose, raspberries and lavender reach out to the senses with spectacular display of fragrances. 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 let present enough to handle meat (story below). 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. 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 LXV Cabernet Franc was released in August 2023 and sells for $100. The 2021 Cabernet Franc wine from LXV Wines made my list of Best Wines Tasted for 2024 that is published annually in December. Only five barrels were produced. The grapes came from Portico Hills Vineyard located in Santa Barbara County.
Map from website “Visit the Santa Ynez Valley” (https://www.visitsyv.com/)
Los Alamos Valley is the home of Portico Vineyards characterized by cool nights and warm days, allowing grapes to achieve both concentration and balance. It is located in Santa Barbara County. The area has multiple slopes with many acres planted in 10% to 25% slope. The hilly topography with sandy soil promotes great drainage and produces award winning wines. Currently from Portico Vineyards, 26 wineries are using their award winning grapes.
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 BBQ’ed and seared filet mignon steak served medium rare with crumbled Blue Stilton Cheese from the United Kingdom topping the meat. Accompanied by halved roasted Brussel sprouts, and drizzled with reduction balsamic vinegar. Also a Santa Fe southwestern salad was served. A wonderful and enjoyable meal with the wine while being silky smooth, had enough tannins to handle the meat.
Sláinte,
Michael