Ryme, Cabernet Franc, Russian River Valley 2018 (750 ml)

Farming:

The Cabernet Franc grapes come from the Alegria Vineyard just south of Healdsburg in the Russian River Valley appellation. The vineyard is made up mostly of ancient field blends from the 1800s. The Cabernet Franc was planted in 1990. This is a fairly cool climate for Cabernet Franc and the idea was to make a light bodied wine that embraced the herbal and floral qualities of the grape

Vinification:

The grapes were picked in late September with a modest brix level. We fermented the 2018 in two separate lots. One was a whole cluster fermentation in a tank and pressed gently by foot once a day to keep the top fresh and release some juice. This results in a partial carbonic fermentation. The other lot was whole cluster into clay amphora. Both fermentations were pressed separately to neutral oak barrels and blended prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes:

The 2018 Cabernet Franc is full of purple floral aromatics, dried cherries and crushed herbs.

About the Estate

Ryme Cellars is a collaboration of husband and wife with old world sensibilities, as well as admiration for California's terroir and sunny disposition. Our portfolio of wines has grown gradually and organically since 2007, beginning with a single ton of Aglianico. The varieties may be rare or unusual but none of them are a mere curiosity for us. Rather, they represent wines that we love, drink often, and truly believe in the potential for success in their chosen sites. Our wines come from conscientiously farmed organic or sustainable vineyards. They are produced according to simple methods. The wines are always encouraged, never controlled. We use no cultured yeast, no temperature control, no enzymes or other adulterants. We do not fine or filter. The wines are raised in used French oak barriques between 2 and 10 years old. Many of the reds are fermented on the stems. Many of the whites are fermented on the skins.