By Sol Rouge
2018 Cabernet Franc Red Hills, Lake County

About Sol Rouge
Sol Rouge is a family estate located in the Mayacamas Mountains at elevations averaging over 1,800 feet. North of Napa in the foothills of a dormant volcano that formed the North Coast wine country in the Red Hills Appellation of Lake County, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name � translating to "red soil" in French. This 70-acre estate is planted with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a "high vine density" configuration, allowing each vine to focus on fewer clusters of fruit, leading to greater complexity. Nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge, this aggressive site is all hillside with slopes up to 60% and is said to be the most aggressive and tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills, with nearly 6,000 vines per hectare in some blocks. Sol Rouge is focused on producing wines from varietals from the Rhone and Bordeaux regions of France. We currently partner with vineyards in California that produce these varietals with distinct soil profiles similar to our terroir. Our "non-intervention" philosophy, use of organic techniques, and indigenous yeast help bring the true flavor and characteristics of each vineyard through to our wines.

Wine Details
Alcohol: 14.50%
pH: 3.79
TA: 0.65
Aging: 30 months in 100% French oak barrels, 0% new, all once- and twice-used
Release Date: Fall 2022

Tasting Notes
Our Sol Rouge Cabernet Franc is by far the most consistent wine we make in terms of quality and taste. In 2018, our Cabernet Franc developed earlier than normal and was harvested in mid-October from our estate. At first sight, this wine has a rich red color that draws you in. On the nose, this wine exhibits rich aromas of crushed cranberries, pine needles, and forest floor with a hint of mocha. On the palate, the wine has a smooth entry leading to a rich, bitter dark chocolate flavor that integrates well with the subtle herbal note in the mid-palate. Full-bodied and silky on the palate, the wine leads into a long finish supported by well-integrated dark tannins that carry the wine for 60+ seconds in the mouth. This wine should be decanted for 1-2 hours if you wish to drink it now and will improve with cellar aging to be enjoyed for the next 10-12 years.
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: Sol Rouge 2018 Cabernet Franc (Red Hills)
Score/Rating: 94 - Cellar Selection
Suggested Drinking Window: Best through 2030
Review Date: 05/01/2023
Reviewed By: Stacy Briscoe
Tasting Notes: A good Cab Franc should be complex and interesting - and this one truly is. The mouth-coating tannins add a pleasant texture and structural integrity and are well-balanced by the elevated acidity and concentration of fruit. Oak is well-integrated, working to uplift, rather than mask the flavor profile. Find notes of black cherry, black currant, fig, fig leaf, menthol, toasted cedar and an aura of balsamic. Best through 2030.