Varietal
Cabernet Franc, one of the classic Bordeaux varietals, is most often used as a blending grape to add interest and to compliment Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot based wines. On its own Cabernet Franc produces alluring wines that are early maturing with generous mouthfeel and fruit and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vintage
For the most part 1999 was a cool and dry season, with much less warm weather than normal. Extra effort was taken in the vineyard to ensure that the fruit fully ripened including judicious irrigation to control growth and maintain uniformity and cluster thinning to promote ripening. Late September gave us the heat spell we needed to begin harvest.

Vinification
The harvest of the Blue Rock Vineyard began on October 5, 1999. The fermentation took place in tank and lasted 11 days. After pressing, the wine was racked to American and French oak and aged for 18 months then ultimately bottled in May of 2001. Alcohol 14.6%, TA .63, pH 3.56, residual sugar .07%. 716 cases were produced.

Tasting Notes
This wine exhibits impressive perfumed aromas of black cherry and cedary toast shadowed by a subtle oakiness. Black cherry is echoed on the palate along with chocolate and savory flavors that give way to a smooth, rich finish noted by soft, chewy tannins.

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