2020 Mae’s Vineyard Blanc de Cabernet Franc - Leah Jørgensen Cellars

Lip-smackingly bright and nervy beams of tart kumquat, lime juice, passion fruit, citrus zest, and green apple flesh lead a complex yet thoroughly electric presentation brimming with hints of crushed stone, rock salt, and captivating minerality. Subtle suggestions of sage, mint, and wild herbs gently provide understated herbal qualities overlaid with pleasantly dainty floral tones of jasmine and white flowers. A faint note of blanched almond delicately reveals just a pinch of nuttiness while a sprinkling of white pepper contributes lightly spicy undertones. Brilliantly fresh, crisp, and vibrant on the palate while coming across as highly energetic yet still marvelously layered and serious; exhibiting a tart, bone dry, and edgy presentation that is both thirst-quenching and refreshingly unique. Medium bodied and booming with pronounced acidity. This 2020 Mae's Vineyard Blanc de Cabernet Franc by Leah Jørgensen Cellars is a pretty and fascinating white from Oregon's Applegate Valley.

Notable for its ability to produce uniquely herbal and spicy red wine that is great both on its own or as a blending component, Cabernet Franc is also capable of making absolutely exceptional white wine if skin contact is avoided altogether during the winemaking process. This bottling, crafted by Leah Jørgensen Cellars using Cabernet Franc sourced from Mae's Vineyard in Southern Oregon, is an incredibly well executed and delicious example of the merits of making white Cab Franc. This possesses a deep yet lively core of citrus, orchard, and tropical fruits enhanced by delicious stony minerality, mild herbal charms, pretty florals, and a pinch of spice. It is extremely exciting in its current youthful stage yet may also age surprisingly well, and is worth seeking out for those looking for something different yet still delicious. Outstanding.