2024 Nathan K. Cabernet Franc

Red currant, tart raspberry, and crushed gravel define the aromatic profile, accompanied by characteristic notes of dried tobacco leaf and black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied and vibrant, offering crunchy red fruit flavors supported by a fine-grained, chalky structure. Bright, energetic acidity lifts the mid-palate, leading into a savory, mineral-driven finish.

The fruit is harvested by hand and fermented using native yeasts in open-top containers, incorporating a small percentage of whole clusters to enhance structural complexity. The wine undergoes gentle pump-overs to extract color and flavor without drawing out harsh tannins. Following fermentation, it ages in neutral French oak barrels for nearly a year to allow the wine to soften naturally while keeping oak flavors completely out of the foreground.

Grapes are sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The vines are planted on steep, shale-rich slopes that sit close to the deep, glacial waters of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The region’s cool climate is moderated by these deep lakes, which store summer warmth and create constant lake breezes, protecting the vines and allowing the Cabernet Franc grapes to ripen slowly and develop deep aromatics while retaining a crisp, structural frame.