Vineyard
Notes
The Cabernet Franc grapes are grown at Carter's Mountain, located
about twelve miles from First Colony Winery at an elevation of 1165
feet. The vineyard is on a western facing slope on the top of a ridge
with fertile Davidson red clay soil with some greenstone. Due to the
high elevation, this site has excellent drainage and is above the
frost zone. Planted in 1996 on a 8 x 10 foot spacing, the vineyard
uses a divided (Smart Dyson Ballerina) canopy.
The 2001 growing season was ideal for producing Cabernet Franc.
A long, dry summer turned into a long, dry autumn, producing the
best vintage to date in Virginia's winemaking history. Due to the
phenomenal weather conditions, the grapes were picked according
to their optimum levels of Brix and pH.
Cellar
Notes
The grapes were gently crushed and destemmed, then fermented on
the skins for four weeks. During fermentation the winemaker pumped
the wine over twice daily with a punch down. The Cabernet Franc
was aged in 50% new oak barrels: 70% American and 30% French oak.
After eight months of aging the wine was racked, fined with egg
whites and bottled without filtration. This wine exhibits an abundance
of red currant, blackberry and coffee on the nose. The mouth is
soft with mild tannins and a touch of acid, resulting in an elegant
red wine.
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