2017 St Francis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Alexander Valley

ABOUT THE WINE
Established in 1971 by Joe Founder, St. Francis has reflected the finest mountain and valley vineyards in and around Sonoma County for over 50 years.
Today, the vineyards of St. Francis are farmed per Certified Sustainable standards. Their estate vineyards present a stunning diversity as they are scattered around Sonoma Valley and the famous Russian River Valley, each with diverse compositions of limestone, loam, clay and black & red volcanic soils. They also buy fruit from some of the oldest vineyards in the region, farming beautifully gnarly old vine Zinfandel, by nurturing their long-standing relationships for decades.

TASTING NOTES
The fruit for the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comes from high-altitude, west facing slops of the Mayacamas Range, well-above the fog line, where not only the sunlight is stronger, but wind and cold temperatures also batter the wines. These conditions create, smaller, thick-skinned and hence intensely flavoured berries. The wine is all about pure and extracted fruit and intense aromatics and their marriage with the new oak. Notes of cassis, black plum, blueberry, eucalyptus, dried prunes, cigar box, black pepper, liquorice and cloves, and dark cocoa. The decadence of the wine strokes the palate with a smooth, full mouthfeel leading to an everlasting finish. Aged in 75% new oak barrels for 20 months. 

FOOD PAIRING
Beef Bourguignon, Florentine Steak and Angus Beef Burgers with red onion relish.

FRIARWOOD SAYS
St. Francis’ gorgeous mission-style estate and Tasting Room building is in the heart of the valley surrounded by estate-owned vineyards. Their bell tower, pictured on their labels houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.