pureCru Wines CFM Cabernet Franc Blend is a Winner!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
pureCru was the People’s Choice winner at the 5th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition in the “Blend Division”. They were up against a strong field of contenders and with their 50/50 Cabernet Franc & Merlot blend won in a taste off from the judges. Additionally their Cabernet Franc in the California Division ($76 to $100) received a Double Gold Medal & Best of Category from the People’s Choice Judge’s and a Gold Medal from the Professional Judges.
The Winery
Mitch Cosentino is the owner and winemaker for pureCru Wines. From his first vintage in 2007 of pureCru he endeavored to create small artisan wines with carefully watching over every aspect of the grapes life cycle from vine to bottle. His wines are sought after and allocated to private clients and wine collectors exclusively for each vintage. His background includes some 43 harvests from around the world.
Currently they are producing a variety of wines. Their white wines include a blend featuring Torrontes from Lodi, a blend from Napa of Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc and their Signature MC Chardonnay. Their reds include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, MC Signature CFM blend, MC Sangio Vetta (Sangiovese), PureCoz a proprietary blend from Napa and M.Coz a “Bordeaux style blend”.
Photo from pureCru website
The wines can be tasted with reservations at The Studio, Feast it Forward located at 1031 McKinstry in downtown Napa.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc from St Helena and 50% Merlot from the Oak Knoll district.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes a dark brick red with brooding coloration. On the nose, aromas of spices (clove) and soft vanilla pipe tobacco combine with blackberries wafting out of the glass. Once on the palate the fruit of Merlot mingles elegantly with the Cabernet Franc like a Viennese waltz. The contrasting varietals provide a spicy and alluring elixir beckoning additional sips. The finish showcases it’s full body and provides a long satisfying conclusion.
Barrel aged in French oak for 38 months with a very limited production quantity. It is listed on their website for $60/bottle.
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
This wine was selected specifically for this carne asada dish. The marinade consisted of fresh chopped Jalapeño peppers, olive oil, soy sauce, fresh squeezed orange and lime juice, minced garlic cloves, cilantro, ground cumin, kosher salt, ground black pepper marinated for 24 hours with a flank steak. The steak was seared on the BBQ with an infrared ceramic burner at between 1200 to 1400 degrees for about 3-4 minutes a side. Topped off with fresh minced Jalapeño peppers, additional fresh marinade sauce and a modicum of fresh squeezed lime juice. Accompanying the meal was a half Yukon Gold potato, fresh garden salad with bacon and broccolini. The Carne Asada was flavorful and spicy with the wine providing with the Cabernet Franc sufficient tannins to “cut through” the meat and yet enough Merlot to embrace the spiciness of the dish. An excellent food and wine pairing.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I can’t wait to taste some of his other exquisite wines!
Sláinte,
Michael