Canihan Wines Cabernet Franc 2006

Wine Technical Data: 100% Estate Grown Certified Organic Vineyard Harvested on October 17, 2006 Aged 16 months in 100% French Oak 14.7% Alcohol Residual Sugar: Dry Total Acidity: 0.57g/100ml 3.60 pH Bottled: February 13, 2008 106 Cases Produced Released: February, 2009 “91 Points” Wine & Spirits Magazine December 2008 issue $59 per bottle retail

VINEYARD NOTES: Located on the border of the Sonoma Valley and Los Carneros appellations, planted in 1998 with SO4 and 110-R rootstock, this 2.5-acre vineyard produces a cool-climate Cabernet Franc. The vineyard lies adjacent to our neighbor’s eucalyptus trees. Phil Coturri’s dry-farming, pruning techniques and biodynamic vineyard management practices such as keeping only one cluster per shoot, result in low yields of approximately one ton per acre.

WINEMAKING NOTES:  Destemmed grapes were cold macerated for three days in open-top tanks before fermentation on native yeasts. The must was punched down twice daily during fermentation, allowed extended lees contact, then pressed and racked into 60-gallon French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and barrel ageing. During 16 months in French oak barrels, the Cabernet Franc was racked only once and was not fined and only lightly filtered prior to bottling on February 13, 2008.

TASTING NOTES: A fragrant nose of black currant, dark chocolate, spice, mint, and cherry fruit fold into sweet tobacco, soy and brewed espresso. The mouthfeel is smooth with medium tannins, an elegant Loire-style Cab Franc lacking the traditional gaminess quality, and is followed by a long, lingering finish.

For more information, please contact Bill Canihan at