2012 Jax Vineyards Calistoga Cabernet Franc

Jax Vineyards is owned and run by the Jackson family, which includes Kimberly Jackson Wickham, her brother Trent Jackson, and their CEO and co-founder Dan Parrott. Winemaker is Kirk Venge. Vineyards are at the foot of Mount St. Helena, just south of Knights Valley. The vineyards are at least 4f0 years old and dry farmed. Jax makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, blends and a rosé. The wines have earned ratings in the low to mid 90s.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

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.