Cabernet Franc from Columbia Valley, Washington and Oregon.
SRP of $20 and available for as low as $16. Sample submitted for review.
From the bottle:
"They made me the keeper of the vineyard; but mine own vineyard I have not kept. Song of Songs 1:6
14.1% Alcohol"
A few weeks ago we reviewed the Vinum Cellars The Scrapper Cabernet Franc 2010 and dubbed it an under-appreciated heavyweight of a wine, in part because of the boxing theme but mainly because Cabernet Franc just doesn't seem to get its due as a single varietal wine. Well today we have another contender for the heavyweight title, this time from Columbia Valley which is primarily in Washington but also covers a small part of Oregon. (Relevant because the grapes for this wine could come from both states.)
On a side note before we get to the review, while "The Keeper" is a cool name I have to say I don't really get the reference to the Song of Solomon other than the fact that it mentions a vineyard. The point of the verse is that people are working hard for others and by doing so neglecting their own heavenly callings -- I'm not sure that's quite what they want the name to convey! In any case, let's see how it tastes.
The 2010 Corvidae Wine Company The Keeper Cabernet Franc from Owen Roe begins with a really lovely aroma of green olives, sweet plums and tobacco. Tasting the wine reveals lots of rich dark fruit, more green olive and tobacco and some fantastic spicy notes that flow all the way into the finish. A smooth and wonderfully delicious wine that finishes dry with good length and lingering notes of black tea, tobacco and spice. Another excellent wine from this under-appreciated variety.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.