2017 Santa Barbara County Cabernet Franc - Luna Hart Wines

Juicy raspberry, sliced jalapeño, crisp dark cherry. Tart blueberry, green tobacco, bright mixed currants. Young cedar and mild clove, basil leaf and chopped cilantro. Strawberry, red plum, and licorice dance playfully with bell pepper and a medley of fresh garden herbs in a surprisingly high toned and aromatic bouquet. Impressions of eucalyptus and green chili continue the theme of pronounced spicy herbal charm before rose petals and wild poppies chime in to complement an attractive floral edge. Quite lively and energetic on the palate, freely spilling layer after layer of spirited fruit and pyrazines with impressive complexity, balance, and verve. Medium plus in body with medium tannin backed by deliciously juicy acidity. This 2017 Santa Barbara County Cabernet Franc by Luna Hart Wines is an exciting and wonderfully authentic small production Loire-style red.

When grown in the new world Cabernet Franc is a grape that seems to have a near fluid identity. It can be crafted into wine with great density and decadence similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, with spicy and herbal complexity like Syrah, or even in a juicy and pure-fruited style nearer to Gamay. This bottling, crafted by Luna Hart Wines using Cabernet Franc sourced from within Santa Barbara County, brilliantly expresses the personality of this unique variety in a way that beautifully resembles its old world origins. Although endowed with slightly more stuffing than its French counterparts this wine emits genuine varietal character with exceptional purity. It is fresh and drinkable without sacrificing complexity and has energy and lift to spare. This is an outstanding example of a classically styled Cab Franc coming from cool coastal Santa Barbara County.