2013 Trespass Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This 2013 Trespass Vineyard 100% Cabernet Franc wine came up on the “To Drink” list for 2024. A perfect after dinner wine while enjoying the rising moon on a warm summer evening. Have enjoyed this wine for over a dozen years. It possesses the typical aromas of raspberry and bramble. Absent is the bell pepper (pyrazine notes) just lively fresh fruit and spiced chocolate. A dark deep red/purple on the eyes with a medium body. On the nose, aromas of cherry, wood and black pepper are prevalent. On the palate, the fruit is strong with black cherry and an earthiness. The tannins are kept in check with a soft vanilla finish. The wine is bottled unfiltered and un-fined. Kirk Venge, along with Don & Dana Gallagher, collaborate in the winemaking process. An excellent example of Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. 150 cases of the 2013 were produced. The wine was aged 22 months in 75% new French oak and 25% neutral French oak. The current vintage is 2019 which 125 cases were produced and sells for $110/bottle.
Photo from Trespass Vineyard website
As an aside to the wine itself, two items have always caught my attention. First it is the label which is a beautiful water color of the vineyard at the base of Spring Mountain in Saint Helena. The second item is the statement on the back of the bottle which reads “Now and again one comes across a place so extraordinary it captures the imagination, yet you are not allowed to enter. We invite you to TRESPASS”. A very nice play on the wording with the picture on the front of the bottle.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://trespassvineyard.com