Sonoma County

Sonoma County  Cabernet Franc

Sonoma County begins at the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean and unfolds to reveal a landscape of gently rolling hills and valleys, punctuated by dense forests of redwood and fir, and framed by rugged mountains. The vineyards planted to this terroir enjoy a diversity of elevations, aspects, soil types, and micro-climates, ideal for producing fine wines of power, complexity, and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Anakota Cabernet Franc is sourced from a remarkable variety of vineyards throughout Sonoma County. Showing expressive varietal integrity, this wine has lively aromas of concentrated red plum, red cherry, and blackberry liqueur, along with fresh herbal elements of California bay laurel, fresh strawberry leaf, and pressed flowers. The finish lasts for several minutes and is laced with wet stone minerality, bright fruit, and aromatic botanicals.

Vigneron Notes

The winter of 2022 introduced a third straight year of below-average rainfall in our Sonoma County vineyards, signaling a continuation of the ongoing drought. To ensure top-quality fruit in the coming season, the decision was made during pruning to severely restrict the number of clusters each vine would be asked to ripen. Through this action, each micro-cru block was allowed to fully express its terroir, even though it would mean lower yields during harvest. Winter was chilly but March and April warmed nicely, leading to even budbreak and flowering, followed by a uniform fruit-set. The summer months that followed, saw classically warm weather offset by cool nighttime temperatures, but late August introduced a severe heat wave just as the vineyards were achieving optimal ripeness. Responding quickly, our teams worked to harvest each block as fast as possible before the heat could negatively affect the fruit. The finished wines are powerful, structured, and satisfyingly dry, with terrific length and balance. — Pierre Seillan, Vigneron