2016 Kamen Cabernet Franc

Kamen Estate Wines was established in 1980 by Robert Mark Kamen, a Hollywood screenwriter with a long string of successful films, including The Karate Kid series. A native of New York City, Kamen bought the 280 acres that is now his estate after the sale of his first screenplay. Until 1996 Kamen’s grapes were sold to premium Sonoma producers, but after a major fire destroyed many vines Kamen replanted and decided to produce his own wines. The first release of Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1999. Mark Herold is winemaker. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache and blends.

Moon Mountain AVA earned its official status as an American Viticultural Area in 2013. The Moon Mountain district is a sub-appellation of Sonoma Valley, and has long been considered a prestigious address for vineyards. At the relatively high level of 400 to 2.700 feet above sea level, the 17,633-acre AVA is on the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. About 2,000 acres within the AVA are planted to vineyards. The climate benefits from constant breezes from the bay as well as sunshine, since the area is above the fog line. Grapes grown in the AVA are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, with some Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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.