The 2023 vintage yielded everything we’d hoped for in the first harvest of our Block Ten Cabernet Franc. Its ruby color hints at the richness within, unveiling seductive aromas of black cherry, plum, blackberries, cassis, along with dried herbs, graphite and a savory touch of tapenade. On the palate, a juicy burst of blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry flavors are complimented with a velvety texture elevated by seamlessly integrated oak and fine, dusty tannins. Subtle notes of sweet oak and spice add warmth and complexity, while vibrant natural acidity carries the wine to a long, fresh finish. Elegant yet powerful—this debut vintage of our Block Ten Cabernet Franc captures varietal characteristics in perfect balance.
200 cases produced
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck - Packing in real Cabernet Franc character and focused intensity, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Block Ten is a dark, inky red color with graphite, ancho chili, blackcurrants, and forest spice. Full-bodied yet light on its feet, with silky, ripe red and blue fruit, a supple texture, ripe tannins, and refreshing acidity, it has youthful charm but can age another 10-15 years easily. Bravo - by far the best tasting I've seen from this team at Stuhlmuller.
Our Block Ten Cabernet Franc was planted in 2020 to Clone 214, which was originally selected and propagated in France. It is known for its consistent yields and classic Cabernet Franc characteristics, such as bright red fruit flavors with subtle herbaceous and spice notes. 2023 was our first harvest of our Block Ten Cabernet Franc and we were very excited to work with it in the winery.
Our Block Ten Cabernet Franc was hand-harvested, then hand-sorted before being gently destemmed as whole berries and transferred to an open-top stainless-steel fermenter tank. The primary fermentation was performed by indigenous yeasts during a maceration period of 21 days. The wine was drained and pressed to tank and then racked to a large-format French oak cask and a few select French oak barrels. The wine was aged 18 months before being racked, blended, filtered and bottled un-fined.
