There are rare times when a wine reminds you how much you missed a particular grape. This is that wine, and this is that grape.
Saying hello to the Artesa 2012 Cabernet Franc wasn’t a tough thing to do – it was the holidays, the libations were flowing, and Artesa had already provided a couple other bottles that were more than serviceable. In other words, while the stuff isn’t cheap – you can’t get it at Aldi, and it’s normally in the $30-$40 a bottle range – when there’s a bottle in front of me, well, why not?
However, the Cabernet Franc – a grape with, dare I say, bite – is probably more than a little maligned here in the States. We don’t see it all the time, and, while it gets blended occasionally, it’s just not mainstream, is it?
Sidebar – if you ever get a chance to have a Cab Franc from the Niagara Valley of Canada, DO IT. Do not delay.
Artesa 2012 Cabernet Franc Review
Taste
People of Earth, this is a serious wine! When we got this baby open on Christmas, we thought…WOW. This is an expensive bottle. (Evidence on the website – the 2011 sells for $32 a bottle – IF you are a member of their club. We’re not, but we know people who are. Without it, it’s $40. Here’s a link to the Artesa web page.)
Plus, those jammy, “wine with bite” undertones you would expect from a Cabernet Franc – those are here. Yes, a little tobacco, some blackberry too.
This is an outstanding wine.
Profile
For the 2011, ABV is 14.2%. Expect similar for 2012. Small release in 2011 – 950 cases.
Value
It’s not your everyday wine – it was Christmas, after all – but, having sampled from $100 bottles in the past, if you spent $40 on this, you got your money’s worth and then some.
Metasip Grade: A
We cut right to the chase with the photo – this wine earned an A and was the best-in-show (or breed, or class) among what we had over the Holidays. If you’re the type of person who drinks the good stuff, it’s probably worthwhile to get into their club; saving 20% on a bottle is highly worthwhile.
But even at $40, as we told ya, this is outstanding.