2018 L’Autre Côte Cabernet Franc – Matured to Perfection!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We enjoyed this wine at our Friday Night Wine & Dine dinner the other night with a few friends.
Background on L’Autre Côte and Steven Kent Mirassou
It is not often that one sets out to turn the world upside down, but that is exactly what Steven Kent Mirassou is attempting with his newest label called L’Autre Côte meaning the “other coast”. The L’Autre Côte brand falls under The Lineage Collection. The goal is to make world acclaimed Cabernet Franc wines from two of Livermore’s well-known vineyards. He accomplished that in 2017 with his two versions of Cabernet Franc, one from Ghielmetti Vineyard and one from Sachau Vineyard. He made 50 cases. Both sold out almost immediately. Since that article was written ( https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/09/11/2018-lautre-cote-cabernet-franc-one-of-the-best-cabernet-francs-available/ ) he has received 96 points for his Ghielmetti Vineyard and 94 points for his Sachau Vineyard Cabernet Franc wine. Remember this was his inaugural release. He was just awarded 95 points from Wine Enthusiast for his 2018. His Lineage “Bordeaux Style” wine and his Cabernet Sauvignon were both rated 100 points and the only Livermore Valley wine to be rated so highly.
The 2018 L’Autre Côte continued with using two designated vineyard Cabernet Franc wines, but this year he combined the two together as it produced a higher quality Cabernet Franc. In Steven’s words “the wine is truly magical because their irreducible wholeness comes about as a function of their purity of fruit, balance of acidity and overt sexiness”.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Ghielmetti and Sachau Vineyards have been a long-time source for Steven’s wine be it Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. The one block at Ghielmetti of Cabernet Franc Clone 332 is 3.7 acres in size. Sachau vineyard is six acres in size with a loamy soil. The 50/50 combination of the two (each aged separately) then, with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon added provided the best of both vineyards. On the eyes, a bright and dark reddish/purple coloring, with medium viscosity. On the nose a very fruit forward aroma of raspberry and blackberry fruits. On the palate, besides the fruit bursting with excitement, you are rewarded with chocolate, jasmine tea and minerality. The finish provides rounded and defined tannins without overt edges, giving one a silky landing. The finish is mid-lasting with a tinge of fruit sweetness, yet with subtle pyrazines in play. Using once used French barrels, this wine does not have a dominance of oak but rather allows the fruit to be showcased. The current vintage is 2022 and is listed at $125/bottle.
What is unique about this award-winning wine is its maturity over seven years to being elegant with complex levels of structure and yet silky 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
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Had beautifully prepared Bruschetta as an appetizer with sliced toasted garlic bread, tomato, basil, garlic and drizzled with olive oil. The wine was paired beautifully with this appetizer.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was a light entrée of four Italian braised meatballs with tomato, white wine, basil and fresh parmesan shavings. The wine and food pairing was once again spot on wonderful with this dish.
The group enjoyed sharing various other wines brought to dinner this evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While this 2018 has absolutely matured to perfection, Steven and Beth Mirassou will be having some new and even more exciting Cabernet Franc wines coming out shortly! Read a previously published article: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/07/22/a-tasting-experience-and-conversation-with-steven-mirassou-at-steven-kent-winery/
Stay tuned……
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly