1997 Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc

Pride Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1991 by Jim and Carolyn Pride on a site once known as Summit Winery. Both Jim and Carolyn were native Californians from long-time farming families, so it wasn’t too big a leap for Jim to scale back his dentistry career to start making wine in the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley. Jim Pride died in 2004, but the Pride children, Steve Pride and Suzanne Pride Bryan, now own and run the winery, which is considered one of the notable stars of the Napa Valley. Carolyn Pride also remains active at the winery. The property consists of 235 acres, 183 of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier and Chardonnay. The Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and Reserve Claret are especially renowned, earning high marks from reviewers and collectors. About 18,000 cases are produced annually.

This is a parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon. It most likely originates from Basque country. It is an excellent blending grape, known for making the exquisite Cheval-Blanc. Franc is a little hardier on a vine than Sauvignon, but drinks smoothly at the table.