The 2017 Cabernet Franc captures a stunning intersection of Franc and Mt. Veeder terroir. Inky, deep and super expressive, the 2017 possesses tremendous richness. Crème de cassis, menthol, lavender, chocolate and graphite infuse the 2017 with real depth and brooding intensity. Beams of incisive tannin give the wine its shape and energy. Readers will need to be patient. The 2017 is really a wine from Mt. Veeder first and foremost; it has tons of character and personality.

Deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Franc Mt. Veeder reveals expressive black fruits with a tarry, broody undercurrent, featuring baked plums, blueberries and blackberries with notions of chargrill, violets and tilled black soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a lot of energy, with loads of freshness and finely grained, ripe tannins, finishing on a perfumed note. 448 cases produced.

Lots of forest floor, truffle, and chocolaty dark fruits emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Franc, a more focused, tannic, backward wine that's going to benefit from bottle age. It should have 15 years or more of prime drinking.

A light, elegant approach is taken to this mountain wine, robustly seasoned in sage, dried herb and clove. Herbaceous throughout, it represents the variety, vintage and provenance well, showing balanced, bright underlying acidity that softens the inherent power.