Hard to make a cool climate style Cabernet Franc in Napa that’s not near the San Pablo Bay, but Cultivar has done just that and done it well. If you know your Loire style Cabernet Franc, this is “Chinon style.” If this means nothing to you, don’t worry about it. A smushed up fresh strawberry, cigar wrapper, green tea, beef stock nose is followed by plums, red berries, and dried pink peppercorn flavor. Medium/light body, mouth watering acidity, and (again) that beef stock on the long, fresh finish. Its lighter tells me this is not for every palate, but it’s close.
