Chenin Blanc
2023 Dracaena Cabernet Franc – The Golden Standard?
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
I have known the owners of Dracaena Wines, Michael & Lori Budd, for ten years and their wines were good at the beginning and simply have morphed over the years to being excellent. Last night pulled a 2023 Dracaena Cabernet Franc to go with our dinner. Could not have been more pleased.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Upon the first sip I knew I was in for a treat. First on the eyes, a beautifully colored ruby and crimson coloring with medium viscosity. On the nose just a faint hint of pyrazines (bell pepper) but mostly fresh raspberry and red cherries with violet and rose petals wafting into the senses. Once in the palate, this dark and inviting elixir provided a symphony of flavors. Dominant was blackberry flavors following closely by a soft and caressing blueberry for a soft and friendly sip. A minimal percentage of oak and tannins were noticeable while the wine playfully engulfed the mouth. Surprisingly the structure and body was at a premier level for a wine costing only $42/bottle. The finish was smooth and velvety, lingering for enjoyable moments begging for another savory sip.
The wine is about 97% Cabernet Franc from 3% co-fermented Tannat. The wine was 14.5% alcohol. This will make my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2026. Roughly only 2-4% of the 2,000 wines tasted during the year make this list. That list is published mid-December.
At the 7th Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition, the 2023 Dracaena Cabernet Franc received a Gold Medal from the Professional Judges. Over the years they typically received Gold, Double Gold and/or Best of Category. Just like their Weimaraner dogs, this is a pure bred wine. Double Gold in SF Chronicle and 92 points from Decanter.
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
Being that it was raining and “cold” at 72 degrees (first time seeing a 70-degree reading since moving to Arizona!), a wintertime comfort food was in order this evening. Especially to watch Monday Night Football. My wife, Susan, baked up a recent favorite Poblano Pepper Casserole. Ingredients included poblano peppers, vegetable oil, chopped white onion, jalapeno pepper, minced garlic, ground beef, cut yellow & red bell peppers, black beans, fire roasted tomatoes, corn kernels, shredded cheddar cheese, red pepper flakes, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, kosher salt, black pepper and white rice. The casserole is delicious and spicey but not hot.
Each bite of the casserole combined with fruit of the wine, made a delicious meal. A great winter dinner, be it cool or cold!
The Winery
Their tasting room at 1244 Pine Street, Suite 101B in Paso Robles, located just off the downtown square. Michael and Lori behind the bar serving guests on a typical weekend.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Michael and Lori started Dracaena wines 14 years ago and while searching for a “living memorial” for their first Weimaraner dog, they named their winery Dracaena. While researching for a name, they found the name Dracaena tree, more commonly referred to as a Draco tree. Draco was the name of their dog. Today they have another Weimaraner dog named Bowen happily greeting everyone that comes to the tasting room, which is dog friendly. One of the reasons they have and continue to make excellent wines is their combined backgrounds. Michael today is a food chemist and Lori was a microbiologist.
Over the years we have held many conversations. One of the more noteworthy was about two years ago when discussing some of the high dollars levels Cabernet Franc had ballooned to. Lori stated clearly, they wanted to make an exquisite Cabernet Franc at an affordable price level. They have accomplished both a quality wine and a price value driven wine.
Currently, while still a small boutique and artisan winery, they produce Cordyline Rosé, Chenin Blanc, Blanc de Blanc, Cinnabari (Bordeaux blend) and Phoenix (Mourvedre & Syrah blend). With their Cabernet Franc lineup of both the Classic Cabernet Franc and Metz Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Franc. I have purchased and tasted them all except their Blanc de Blanc and every one, once again, coming in at a high standard.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
L’Ecole No.41 Presentation and Wine Tasting at Vinum55 Chandler
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Two weeks ago, attended the L’Ecole No.41 presentation and wine tasting given by Annie Wallace. Upon entering each attendee was given a tasting of 2024 L’Ecole No.41 Chenin Blanc. This was extremely refreshing, a perfect opening on a warm and humid day with a beautiful bouquet with a slight sweet finish and complexity derived from ancient vines that were grafted.
Picture from L’Ecole website
Annie went into the history of L’Ecole No.41 being the oldest winery in Walla Walla in Washington. The word L’Ecole in French means schoolhouse and the No. 41 was the designation of the school district from 1915. The original owners were enthralled with the French countryside and so named the winery. When the schoolhouse was moved to the winery, they added a second story which today is one of their two tasting facilities. Annie went into a detailed geological background showing the ancient activities that produced a unique soil, wind and weather condition for the estate. Wine Enthusiast has named L’Ecole in the top 100 wineries in the USA a total of eighteen times.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine was a 2024 L’Ecole Frenchtown Sauvignon Blanc. This was wonderfully quaffable with soft citrus on the nose. This was only their second vintage and was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French barrel, then combined for bottling. The taste was almost “too soft” to be a Sauvignon Blanc, but very easy to enjoy solo without food.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Up next was the highlight of the evening for me being their 2022 L’Ecole Columbia Valley Merlot. It was 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc for good measure. It was described as having oak tannins with new world fruit. First was the dark and mysterious coloring, followed by fruit forward flavors including plum and dark cherries counterbalanced by a skosh of pepper. The deep coloring was explained by the wide temperature providing a thicker skin than normal which also boosted the tannins providing a tad cranberry quality on the finish. This was not a Merlot talked about in “Sideways”, but rather a “kick ass” Merlot. If you are Merlot fan, this is one worthy of trying.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next was the 2022 L’Ecole Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This used 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes giving it’s a truly remarkable coloring in the glass. It was a balanced wine with softness and tannins kept in check. Wish it had a more noticeable aroma to make it an exquisite wine. That stated it was still a very solid and enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then moved on to the last two wines which were blends. The first being the 2022 L’Ecole Apogee. This is a Bordeaux style wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. The vineyard used was from ancient lava flows, bedrock basalt and alluvial soil. This single vineyard designated wine provided structure, a “chewy quality” and noticeable tannins which were all very appreciated.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Another blend followed being the 2022 L’Ecole Ferguson with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. This vineyard has volcanic soil producing concentrated berries giving the imbiber a sharp taste with a tad sharper finish. This wine was given the Decanter Award as the Best Bordeaux in the World with a 98-point score.
All the wines this evening were especially enjoyable with 4 out of 6 making my quality level to be included in the cellar. These were remarkable in providing more depth and elegance than many I personally had previously tasted from Washington.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com