Cabernet Franc

The Terroir:

Tightly demarcated by virtue of a single soil series (Freewater Series) and a single land form (alluvial fan), the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater exists entirely on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. RockBar is situated in the middle of this highly distinctive terroir, where large cobblestones have collected over a hundred feet deep. Seven Hills Vineyard is a historic vineyard planted only steps outside of the Rocks District. The original vines were planted in 1982 by the McClellan family, who also planted (in 2003) another vineyard immediately adjacent to Seven Hills, called McClellan Estate. The vines at all three vineyards are self-rooted, ungrafted, with deep root systems. Careful management leads to balanced canopy growth and moderate yields, with Cabernet Franc clusters having good spacing, airflow, and sun exposure. The inland continental climate provides alternating cold nights and long, warm Summer days with ample sunlight due to the high northern latitude (46 degrees N). This diurnal shift gives grapes with a wonderful balance of fruit, acidity, structure, and highly expressive aromatics.

Reviews:

96 - Jeb Dunnuck: "The high-toned green herbal note coming through in the ruby red 2022 Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley is fantastic. You don’t see that in the 2023, and it may take the 2022 to another level, but at the very least, it’s different. This wine is more classic in its expression, with notes of green pepper, graphite, and black raspberries, as well as pretty floral aromas. Medium-bodied, It’s pretty and long on the palate, with supple, refined tannins, a weightless feel, and a long, clean, tapered finish. This is a very attractive and savory wine to drink over the next 15 years. It’s a versatile wine for foods with herbs, roasted peppers, etc."

93 - Vinous: "The 2022 Cabernet Franc is impossible to ignore as a mass of black raspberry meets white pepper, sagebrush, wilted violets and olives. This is texturally thrilling, velvety yet energetic, with chalky minerality that coats the palate as ripe red and black fruits swirl throughout. It finishes with amazing energy, juicy and long yet also classically structured, with a tinge of sour citrus that seals the deal."