The beautifully made 1997 Cabernet Franc St. Jean Estate Vineyard has been blended with 10% Merlot and 5% Malbec. There was neither fining nor filtration prior to bottling. The 100% new oak aging has been completely absorbed. Cabernet Franc is a delicate wine, and this effort has somehow handled the new wood. It is a complex, full-bodied, beautifully made effort with intense aromas of leather, black fruits, and flowers. Combining power and richness with finesse and complexity, it is an ethereal effort that should drink well for 15-18 years. It is undoubtedly the finest Cabernet Franc I have tasted from Sonoma.
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