2013 Oakville Cabernet Franc, Oakville Station Vineyard

I'll be Franc with you. It's hard to imagine a vineyard more perfectly suited to cabernet franc than the Oakville Station Vineyard located in the renowned To Kalon district of the Oakville AVA in the Napa Valley. Cabernet Franc from this vineyard brings the diverse characteristics of this variety into perfect harmony. In this wine, you'll find just the right touch of that essential cabernet franc herbaceousness enveloped by the richness and velvety personality of the Oakville AVA. Perhaps more reminiscent of a classic Graves from Bordeaux than a big Napa Valley Cabernet, this elegant wine is a clear statement of the Cornerstone Cellars style, which is defined by grace and balance. The 2013 Cornerstone Cellars Oakville AVA Cabernet Franc, Oakville Station Vineyard, Napa Valley is 100% cabernet franc.

Which vintage was better, 2012 or 2013? The answer for the rational wine lover is neither, they were both superb. Mother Nature threw no curve balls at all to Napa Valley winegrowers in 2013.  The only possible complaint that could be made was that there was too much of a good thing and some let their sugars go over the top. That’s not an issue at Cornerstone Cellars, we pick earlier than most anyway, as we seek to make elegant, balanced wines. Simply put, the 2013 is an exceptional vintage for those that did not let their fruit get overripe. Our 2013s are classic, cellar-worthy wines that will improve for many years to come.