2020 Cabernet Franc
WINE SPECS
100% Cabernet Franc
TASTING NOTES
Complex aromas of chocolate, baking spices and eucalyptus. The acidity leaves the palate bright and lifted, with concentrated and complex flavours of chocolate, cherry, plum and blackberries with the baking spices lingering on the finish.
92 Points - "Look for a complex nose of black raspberry that previews a silky palate flecked with tobacco, spicy oak, black licorice, and savoury desert scrub. The finish is long and intense with more dark chocolate, black plums, and dry baking spices. This is just a baby and nowhere near ready to drink, but it will be a wine to watch through 2030 and beyond." Anthony Gismondi , Gismondi on Wine
92 Points - "Dark in colour, the wine begins with aromas of spice and chocolate, leading to flavours of plum, cherry, blackberry, spice and leather. The texture is concentrated, with ripe, grippy tannins on the finish." John Schreiner
Awards for past vintages:
2019 Cabernet Franc - Gold Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2021
2019 Cabernet Franc - 93 Points, John Schreiner
2019 Cabernet Franc - 92 Points, Anthony Gismondi
2018 Cabernet Franc - Top 10 Canadian Cabernet Francs, WineAlign's Guide to Canada's Best Wines 2020
2017 Cabernet Franc - 93 Points John Szabo, MS & David Lawrason, WineAlign Canada 2020
2016 Cabernet Franc – Silver Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2019
2015 Cabernet Franc – Gold Medal, BC Lieutenant Governors Awards 2018
2015 Cabernet Franc – Gold Medal, InterVin International Wine Awards 2018/2019
2015 Cabernet Franc – Silver Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2018
2014 Cabernet Franc – Gold Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2018
2014 Cabernet Franc – Gold Medal, InterVin International Wine Awards 2018/2019
Media for past vintages:
Bordeaux Sommelier names Painted Rock's 2015 Cabernet Franc as one of his favourite wines in Le Monde.
Decanter Top 10 Canadian Wine Recommendations includes Painted Rock 2014 Cabernet Franc (92 Points) (July 2017 Edition).
B.C. Wine of the Week: Vancouver Sun: Painted Rock 2014 Cabernet Franc.
WINEMAKING
Fruit was hand-picked from our single 3.01 acre vineyard block on November 8, 2020 and berry sorted. Fruit was broken into small batches, cold soaked on the skins for four days and fermented for an additional 21 days on the skins in tank with twice daily pump overs. The batches were then barrel aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak and blended prior to bottling. Unfiltered.
| Titratable Acidity: | 6.0 g/l |
| Residual Sugar: | 1.7 g/l |
| PH: | 3.87 |
| Alcohol: | 14.8% |
| Production: | 315 cases |
2020 VINTAGE
It started out not unusually with slightly delayed bud break due to a cool spring, followed by a mild and wet June leading to exponential growth in the vineyard and a lush canopy. Temperatures and rainfall evened out to averages in July and we were seeing great fruit development. Harvest arrived on time and started with those beautiful golden clusters of Chardonnay on September 28, 2020. Our Winemaker, Gabriel & Winemaking Consultant, Alain both described the vintage as fantastic due to the smaller berry size and particularly low yields leading to ripe, beautifully balanced wines. With bright acidity and ripe fruit, the 2020 vintage will cellar beautifully for years to come.
