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Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc Virginia 2017

Cabernet Franc is a grape native to France.  In Bordeaux, it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  In the region of Chinon in the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is the major stand alone red wine.  It seems that Cabernet Franc is easily grown in most regions of the United States, from California and Washington to New York and Virginia.  In Argentina, Cabernet Franc has become a rising star in recent years.

Cabernet Franc is usually a medium bodied wine with high acidity, which makes it ideal for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is known for a bell pepper like flavor that usually diminishes after decanting.

Jefferson Vineyards is partially on the site of Virginia's first wine company founded by Philip Mazzei and Thomas Jefferson in 1774.  The vinifera vines were not successful and the effort ended with the Revolutionary War.  In 1986, the property owners hired Gabriele Rausse from Barboursville Winery and new vines were planted.  In 1993, the company was renamed Jefferson Vineyards and today it is one of the major wine labels in Virginia.  The tasting room is located in Charlottesville, between the historical homes of Presidents Jefferson and Monroe.

Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc opens with the famous flavor of green bell peppers but it dissipates within 30 minutes.  After that time, this is a medium bodied wine with flavors of black cherry and blackberry.  This is an outstanding soft and complex wine.  I think it is the best Cabernet Franc from the eastern US. that I have tasted.  I will be doing a presentation in February 2020 on wines of the Eastern US. and this wine is likely to be included in the tasting portion of the program.  My local wine shop sells this for $21.99.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points


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