Spring Mountain Wineries
2015 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Franc – One of Pedigree and Silkiness
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
At the top of Spring Mountain AVA, at 2600-foot elevation is Barnett Vineyards. The trek up the switchback road to the peak is worth the adventure. Upon reaching Barnett Vineyards, you are greeted with a breathtaking view looking back towards Howell Mtn. The Valley floor is the area between Calistoga and St Helena. Unfortunately, the day this picture was taken it was a bit overcast, but on their website you will find a few beautiful sunny photos. As you can see the terrain is very sloped (30 degrees and more)!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A quick background on the owners, Fiona and Hall Barnett. They bought the 40-acre property in 1983 and established Cabernet as their initial varietal. In 2007 they hired David Tate as Winemaker and General Manager.
Photo Barnett Vineyards website
For those who do not know David, he is a very “solid contributor” to the wine industry at large and has had a phenomenal impact on Barnett Vineyards. David has produced wine in Australia, France, New Zealand and now Napa Valley. His influence from vineyards to wine making has shown well with their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Hill receiving a 98+ points from Robert Parker. It is truly a 98–100-point wine with its dark concentrated mountain fruit and layering of structure and beautiful tannins. He believes it “will last 18-20 years”. This wine goes for $250/bottle and is extremely delicious! It is on the exclusive members release only.
The Cabernet Franc rivals some of the best in the Valley with its dark purple color with hints of floral and dark chocolate. In my opinion these two are the premier wines at Barnett Vineyards. Current release is the 2022 vintages and unfortunately are member exclusives!
They also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (2), Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (2).
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
After dinner last evening we went to sit on the patio deck enjoying the sunset. Pulled this 2015 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Franc out of the cellar as a special treat as we have enjoyed it since its release. The 2015 Cabernet Franc has a deep purple coloration and has a medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose aromas of dark lush fruit along with floral notes waft into the imbiber’s senses. Once into the mouth, a beautiful roundness with velvety mouthfeel is immediately noticed. On the palate, tastes of dark fruits and berries are dominant. Secondary flavors of chocolate and spices follow. On the finish overwhelming concludes with velvety softness yet with mountain fruit acidity and tannins of comfort and roundness. The 6% of Merlot most likely was key in the mellower aspects of the gestalt of the wine. A long and embracing finish with this Cabernet Franc.
It will make my annual Best Wines Tasted for 2025! This wine is one of the top 15 Cabernet Franc’s coming out of Napa Valley. The current release is 2022 and goes for $110/bottle and is a club release only.
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
I usually pair food with wine, but as mentioned this was enjoyed as an after dinner drink. Could not think of a better way to watch the sunset.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly, Founder of the Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition