Went to an exceptional tasting in New Jersey last month, in November 2024, held at Hawk Haven Vineyards in Cape May, NJ. While there for the Open Source wines of The Winemaker's Co-op, I sampled five terrific New Jersey grown Cabernet Francs. Cabernet Franc is getting better and better in New Jersey, and this current crop of wines was incredible. Here they are in no particular order....
That Working Dog Retriever Estate Cabernet Francld be on this list should come as no suprprise. This wine has long been one of the best Cab Francs in the east coast industry. DARK AND DENSE IN COLOR, The wine exhibits dark and ripe cherry, mocha, and spice. Terrific fruit, and slightly less oak than in previous bottlings. An exceptional red wine for any region.
Unionville Silver Lining Cabernet Franc is certainly close to my heart, having made or collaborated on three vintages of the wine myself. Here the fruit is exuberant, celebrated all by itself. This is a stainless steel Cab Franc, meaning none of it has touched oak. Made all in stainless steel allows the cherry and raspberry and other fruit nuances take center stage. Young, bright, and delicious, this wine can be served cold or at room temperature. Super versitile....can you tell I liked this style?
For those who like a big, bold, dark red, there is the super impressive William Heritage Reserve Norman's Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2022. William Heritage has, since it's opening, been a leader in the quality wine movement. This wine is a big red wine lover's dream. While I generally like lighter east coast Cab Francs, this bottle of wine proves every reason why I am wrong. Big deep garnet/purple wine, with great complexity and balance. Luxor cherry, notes of leather and cedar, with touches of wood. prune, and spice. Absolutely love it!
Though not strictly a Cabernet Franc varietal wine, it is Cab Franc dominant. European in it's inspiration, according to Auburn's website, "this third vintage (2015) is a blend of Cabernet Franc (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%), Merlot (13%) and Petit Verdot (6%)." The resulting wine is a silky smooth elixir of the highest quality. It speaks to dried and fresh cherries and dark raspberries, as well as a hint of plum. The fruit stays on a nice long time. Super impressive, and are many things from Auburn Road. Fantastic, medium bodied, sophisticated wine. Tremendous.
Mike Beneduce of Beneducee Vineyards, has really become the poster child of combining cutting edge, funkier wines (leading trends like extended skin contact whites, pet nats, piquettes, and numerous other ideas, while releasing classic bottlings as well. His Beneduce Cabernet Franc 2021 is an hommage to fine winemaking. This is a lovely red, filled with dark cherry and bright strawberry jams. It is a delightful and stunnign wine, medium bodied, with a nice touch of spice, and a lovely vanilla. Very, very pretty.
Finally there is Haw Haevn Vineyards OA Caernet Franc, which clearly points a finger to legendary New Jersey vineyardist Orley Ashenfelder, whos grown and cultivated some of th most coveted fruit in the mid-At;antic wine growing world, Cherry, plum and cassis all arise first in this lovely, drinkable red, followed on the palate by Christmas spices. followed by raspbeerry, plum, and cassis. Blackberry, combine with a last finish of vanilla. Super complex/Super tssty.
If you are a professed red wine drinker, these five wines are for you!!!!