This velvety smooth Cabernet from Napa’s unanimously celebrated 2018 vintage is truly dazzling as it reminds us of Cult Cabernets such as Harlan or Shafer Hillside Select. The bouquet allures with notes of new leather, cigar box, and freshly ground espresso. Flashy and fun notes of brambleberries, black currant, cassis and Lindt dark chocolate waltz across the palate like a ballerina. The hedonistic finish lasts a full minute with creamy oak and plush tannins. Bravo! – September 2023

The Winery

Born in Texas, the daughter of an iron worker who moved his young family to five
different states as he built his famous buildings around the country, Sarah Francis found
her own stability among the roots of grape vines in her great grandmother’s garden.
When she was 4, those vines became friends she could count on an always-ready
audience for puppet shows and songs. Over the years, Francis’ love of grape vines kept
drawing her into vineyards, and every time, she recaptured those precious moments of
serenity that she treasured as a child.

Now, that unique connection with the vines guides her to growing outstanding grapes
and producing world-class wines. After pursuing a career in healthcare, Francis realized
that she belonged in a vineyard more than anywhere else. Reminded of her childhood
passion, Francis sought out the finest grapes from the finest vineyards to produce her
first wines in 2007. She decided early on to respect the vines and grapes, that once
nurtured her by using old world techniques – hand destemming, hand spinning, and
closed barrel fermentation -techniques that double the amount of time, patience and
expense but yield only the very best wines.

She persuaded legendary Napa vineyard owner Andy Beckstoffer to let her make wines
from two of his prized blocks and the wines she produced won immediate acclaim.