2019 The Scrapper, Cabernet Franc, Camino Alto, El Dorado

91 PTS, James Suckling
"Aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries with walnut, licorice and toasted cedar. Full-bodied with chalky tannins and a juicy dark-fruited character. Juicy and racy at the end. Drink or hold."

2019 Scrapper, Camino Alto, El Dorado

Tasting Notes: This dry farmed Cabernet Franc is a concentrated, inky plum colored red that is subtle in its approach with its silky tannins and generously integrated French oak lactones. The intense aromas are concentrated with dark fruits such as rich plum, black cherry and boysenberry aromas. The palate gives way to more of the same juicy dark fruits adding blackberry and huckleberry flavors and soft,but firm tannins, cigar box, cedar and integrated French oak notes with vanilla. The finish is generous, soft, supple and complete with plush tannins and silky oak tones which interplay with generous fruit notes and contemplative spice and earth tones. 

This is a very special wine with limited production and is from a single vineyard at elevation 1,600 feet within the Sierra Mountains in El Dorado. It drinks well in its youth while sturdy, but will mature gracefully for 20+ years.

2018
90 PTS, Wine Enthusiast
"Firmly tannic and also nicely concentrated, this big, angular wine matches bright cinnamon and cedar notes from oak aging with nicely ripe and vibrant black currants and red cherries. Best from 2025." - JG

This dry farmed Cabernet Franc is a concentrated, inky plum colored red that is subtle in its approach with its silky tannins and generously integrated French oak lactones. The intense aromas are replete with dark fruits such as ripe huckleberry, blueberry and rich cherry vanilla with cassis tannins. The palate gives way to more of the same juicy blackberry and dried cherry flavors with cigar box, cedar and integrated French oak notes with vanilla. The finish is soft, supple and complete with plush tannins and silky oak tones which interplay with generous fruit notes and contemplative spice and earth tones.
This is a very special wine with limited production and is from a single vineyard at elevation 1,600 feet within the Sierra Mountains in El Dorado. It drinks well in it's youth while sturdy, but will mature gracefully for 20+ years. Food Pairings: This wine pairs well with grilled New York steak with sautéed mushrooms with shallots and fresh herbs like marjoram and oregano. If it is fish you are after, try it with soy infused Sea Bass with Oyster Mushrooms and fresh ginger in a soy broth. It’s also absolutely fantastic with grilled Unagi nigiri and a hit with Impossible Burgers while watching the big game!

2017
92 PTS, James Suckling
"Reserved character here, with notes of cedar wood, tobacco, spices and lead pencil to the red fruit. Medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and juicy dark fruit on the palate. Dry and polished with a long, even aftertaste. Drink or hold."

This wine displays it’s silky and elegant tannins in the form of ripe blueberry, cassis, tobacco and black cherry lined with integrated vanilla made possible by 26 months of French oak aging.

This heavily extracted Cabernet Franc is from mountain fruit and has a deep dark plum color showcasing the intense color capacity from grapes of low yielding vines. Intense blueberry, cassis and huckleberry aromas jump out of the glass and are framed by subtle cinnamon notes. The grower Ron Mansfield has a degree in renewable agriculture and organically farms this vineyard (though not certified) using sustainable practices for over 35 years. Ron also grows tree fruit such as peaches, nectarines, apples and pears and we lovingly tease him that he is the most noteworthy producer of the $3 peach you can find seasonally at select Whole Foods stores nationally. We have produced Cabernet Franc grown by Ron for over 20 years, the 2016 was our 19th.

On the palate the wine is silky in texture and then rolls into the varietal “franc” spice which is best described as fresh picked wild currants. The wine then displays it’s silky and elegant tannins in the form of ripe blueberry, cassis, tobacco and black cherry lined with integrated vanilla made possible by 26 months of French oak aging. Cabernet Franc is still considered a somewhat esoteric grape varietal which has parentage tracing back to the king of grape varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a very special wine with limited production from a hillside, red dirt soil, head trained vine, single vineyard at an elevation of 1,600 feet within the Sierra Mountains in El Dorado. It drinks well in it’s youth while sturdy, but will mature gracefully for 20+ years.

Try this wine with any dish suitable for a big Cabernet Sauvignon. The pinnacle choice being New York Steak with a huckleberry demi glaze s2uce with steamed baby carrots and mushroom couscous. Its great with any grilled or roasted meat such as Carnitas Pork, New Zealand Lamb chops or rosemary chicken. Try it with an Impossible Burger - epic!

2015
93 PTS, “Editor’s Choice”, Wine Enthusiast, August 2018

2013
92 PTS, “Editor’s Choice”, Wine Enthusiast, March 2018
"A deep, plum black cherry hue, with aromas of ripe black cherry and cassis notes."