McCall Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2015 - Young at Heart

""Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, if you're young at heart..."

    - music by Johnny Richards and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, 

        sung by Frank Sinatra, Young at Heart (1953)

The McCalls have been growing and selling Pinot Noir and Merlot on Long Island's North Fork since the mid 1990s in Cutchogue Their 2007 vintage was their jumping off point. An exceptional wine. Family owned and certified sustainable, McCall's have been a solid and constant producer of quality wines on Long Island for a while now. I always look forward to tasting their wines.

I recently (May) took part in a Cabernet Franc Eastcoast tasting panel with Lenn Thompson of the Cork Report, Keith Beavers of Vinepair, Allison Slute of Cabernet Franc Chronicles, and Byron Elmendorf winemaker at Macari Vineyards. 

The McCall Cabernet Franc Reserve 2015 starts off with grapes dry-farmed from their North Ridge Vineyard, known for its old vines.  The wine starts off with a sincerely beautifully integrated note of red fruit and oak. Luscious notes of cherry, raspberry, red cassis and plum are juxtaposed to floral notes and and hints of cedar, tobacco, and vanilla. The acidity keeps things fresh, while the tannins on the back end are just grippy enough, with notes of black pepper and tea. But the fruit is key here. For such an old reserve, the red fruit keeps its brilliance. It's incredibly youthful. And it lingers for a long, long time. An exceptional older vintage now available from McCall.

"And if you should survive to 105

Think of all you'll derive out of being alive..."

A fantastic voyage of age and youthfulness. The McCall Cabernet Franc Reserve 2015 is an exceptional wine - mature and youthful at the same time.