2010 Lang & Reed North Coast Cabernet Franc

Lang & Reed Wine Company grew out Tracey and John Skupny’s fascination with Cabernet Franc. The couple started their careers as sommeliers in Kansas City nearly 40 years ago, moving to Napa Valley in 1984. John held executive positions at several Napa Valley wineries, including Caymus Vineyards and Clos Du Val Wine Company, while Tracey raised their sons and worked in wine sales. Over the years the Skupnys grew increasingly interested in Cabernet Franc, and in 1993 they started experimenting with making Cabernet Franc. They founded their winery in 1996 and today produce Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc inspired by the classic wines of the Loire Valley and the fruit they source from various appellations in northern California. Lang & Reed wines have earned scores in the 90s and Stephen Tanzer has complimented what he calls the “racy Lang & Reed style.”

North Coast AVA includes California’s most prestigious sub-appellations and vineyards. The three million acre area includes vineyards in six counties north of San Francisco and nearly 50 sub-appellations. The Napa Valley and Sonoma County AVAs are just two of the renowned sub-appellations included in the North Coast designation, which also includes the AVAs Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Stag’s Leap and Rutherford, which are all among the most acclaimed wine producing districts in California. The North Coast AVA designation is generally used for wines made by blending grapes grown in several counties or AVAs. The appellation includes part of the counties of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Solano and Lake.

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.