I recently tried a Cabernet Franc from Buttonwood Grove Winery in the Finger Lakes on a tasting panel with Len Thompson of the Cork Report, Alison Slute of Cab Franc Chronicles, Keith Beavers of Vinepair, and Byron Elmendorf winemaker at Macari.
Situated in wine country of the Finger Lakes, near Lake Cayuga, Buttonwood Grove Winery offers award-winning wines made from a variety of estate grown grapes - both vinifera and hybrid. Buttonwood Grove is known for their scrumptious Rieslings. The head winemaker at Buttonwood Grove Winery in the Finger Lakes is Sue Passmore, who works with industry veteran Ian Barry. Together, they are a formidable team. Buttonwood Grove is making some terrific wines.
The Buttonwood Grove Cabernet Franc Challen Block 2024 was harvested from their Challen Block of Cabernet Franc in their estate vineyard. The winemakers decided the fruit was so unique, they would make a vineyard designate wine to commemorate the exceptional season, "we just knew we had to highlight them with their very own single-vineyard vintage," read the winemaker's notes. Harvested in early October. The wine went through a twelve day maceration, and was then aged for 20 months in large (830G) Garbellotto fermenter/cask. "[B]ottled unfined and unfiltered to retain more of its natural texture and personality."
Bright fruit immediate explodes off the nose, cherries and eucalyptus bound out of the glass. POn the palate the bright but stewed reed fruits are luscious, lots of bright red cherry just bounces around the mouth. Notes of vanilla, strong black tea and perfect tannins make for a well structured and beautifully balanced wine. The bright red cherry fruit lasts and lasts well past the tannins. A gorgeous wine of great beauty. Exceptional.