Current Release:
2019 Frank Fredericks Estate
The year of dichotomy:
2019 started off with a bang! Torrential rains began to fall in January and by the end of March, over 31″ of rain had fallen in the valley. The Napa River overflowed and created road closures and flooding. Spring followed and was unseasonably cool, which delayed budbreak across the valley, leading many to question the quality of the season.
However, this is why 2019 is the year of dichotomy. While the year began violently, it quickly switched to mild, consistent and deliberate. The summer was long, but steady without any heat spikes. The beautiful morning fog preserved precious acidity in the grapes and allowed us a gentle, long growing season and unrushed harvest. 2019 is quickly becoming known as a “classic” Napa Valley growing season, creating wines which are approachable now yet still destined for long-term cellaring.
2019 is the first publicly available vintage from our Oakville Property.
2019 Tasting Notes:
Oakville is known for creating Napa’s most prestigious wines, and our 2019 is no exception. Many say our wines lean quite “French” in style, and we certainly don’t consider this disparaging. In a world surrounded by “fruit & alcohol first” we fight to create wines immersed in balance & representative of the terroir. Tim Mondavi said it best, when he said he was “going against what Mother Nature has given California” and we are trying to do just the opposite. Wine color is a brooding garnet hue with a bright violet rim. On the nose: A celestial bouquet of spring flowers, pomegranate, blueberry, raspberry and freshly crushed black currant with vanilla and Spanish cedar nuances. On the palate the texture is sophisticated, opulent and mouth-filling. A purity of blue & black fruit shine immediately, followed by gently toasted sandalwood, and red fruit on the back end of the palate. A kaleidoscope of earth and mineral complexities begin to emerge during repeated tastings. Tannins are ultra fine-grained and highly polished. A persistent, graceful finish which lasts over a minute. Gradually drifting off with sweet cherry and milk chocolate suggestions.
Previous Vintages:
2018 Frank Fredericks Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Slow, steady, ideal & abundant.
February began with torrential rainfall, followed by a plethora of filtered light in spring and early summer. Bud break and flowering occurred slightly late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating an incredibly abundant and even fruit set. Summer brought ample sunlight during the day and cooled down by night as chilled marine air swept in from the sea. The temperatures were steady and virtually uninterrupted by any heat spikes. The summer remained mild through the start of autumn and created near-ideal conditions for our fruit to accumulate complexity while sugar levels increased to optimum levels. Our hillside vines fought mightily through the rugged, rocky soil to create tightly packed and highly robust cabernet sauvignon. There was a 27% increase in fruit volume over the 2017 vintage.
Aged in new French Oak for 29 months.
Wine color is an opaque, inky blue/purple with garnet rim. On the nose: Blueberries, blackberries, lilac and sweet cigar box aromas. Hints of licorice, cassis and black cherry. On the palate the texture is rich and velvety smooth. Medium plus acidity which gives the wine a freshness not seen enough in Napa wines. An intense blend of red & black fruit come through immediately, followed by a dazzling display of mineral & earthy nuances and complexities. Tannins are ultra fine-grained and highly polished. Finish is pure & lasts over a minute. Gradually drifting off with subtle oak and chocolate suggestions.
2017 Frank Fredericks Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2017 was our year for luck.
Slightly lower than average yields. The year began with abundant rainfall. Spring weather was mild, resulting in extended flowering and the vines grew quickly thanks to the winter rains.
A freak hail storm passed through quickly in June which caused isolated damage in neighboring vineyards. Thankfully we were unaffected. Three heat events, including Labor Day weekend, helped push harvest into high gear and ultimately saved our entire season. We harvested on October 6th. Just 48 hours before the wine country wildfires started October 8th, saving our fruit from inevitable smoke damage. The fires burned completely around the perimeter of the vineyard and burned down neighboring homes. However, miraculously all of our vines were unaffected.
Someone was looking out for us that day.
Aged in new French Oak for 27 months.
2017 is a gorgeously balanced vintage in all aspects. Wine color is deep inky garnet/purple and vibrant. On the nose: Dark chocolate, spring flowers, créme de cassis, blueberry, blackberry, cranberry and over-ripe cherry. Hints of licorice and Spanish cedar. On the palate the texture and balance of this vintage is spectacular. It is most similar to our 2014 vintage when it was at this stage. Stunning mid-palate, bright acidity, highly polished tannins yet still bold as would be expected of a young Napa cab. A solid inner-core of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry and explode in a truly elegant, multi-faceted display. Suggestions of truffle, loam & sweet black pipe tobacco. Finish is pure & lasts over a minute. Gradually drifting off with a blackcurrant and dark chocolate note.
2016 Frank Fredericks Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Growing season was literally perfect in 2016. Rock steady temperatures all summer long and no interruptions during high bloom lead to greater yields than in 2015. Consistent daily temperature fluctuations created the ideal amount of dew on the vines each morning and there was no need for irrigation. Fruit gradually matured to optimum ripeness right up to harvest. The first rainstorm to hit didn’t occur until after harvest was complete which was a suitable end to a flawless season.
Aged in new French Oak for 30 months.
2016 was our most tannic vintage to date. In order to create optimum texture, the wine needed additional aging time in barrel. Wine color is bright ruby/purple and intense. On the nose: Cassis, blueberry, and over-ripe cherry with hints of chocolate, Connolly leather & cigar box. On the palate the texture and balance of this vintage really shines through. Supple, chewy, velvety & bold all at the same time. Acidity is bright and not over-powering. A sweet inner-core of red and black fruit explode on the mid-palate. Multi-layered and elegant. Suggestions of truffle, loam & liquorice. Finish is pure & lengthy. Gradually drifting off with a blueberry and dark chocolate note.
2015 Frank Fredericks Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Unseasonably early warm temperatures led to an early bud break and bloom. Colder temperatures hit in May during the peak of bloom which ultimately led to uneven fruit setting and lower overall yields. Harvest was two weeks earlier than 2014 due to the early fruit set. Hand harvested just before dawn when grape acidity is slightly higher. Grapes were tiny and incredibly concentrated. Almost black in color and of uncompromising quality.
Aged in new French Oak for 28 months.
Wine color is deep purple, vibrant and youthful. An incredible forest floor earthiness on the nose that was not as prevalent in the 2014’s. Spring flowers, blackberry and raspberry fruit. On the palate the wine is grippy and bold. A bit of charcoal notes over a bouquet of blueberry, chocolate and cassis. Well balanced and a beautiful finish.
2014 Frank Fredericks Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2014 is our first public vintage offering.
A gorgeous growing season despite the drought and earthquake. Stable temperatures and humidity all summer long. Not once were any surprises or extremes encountered. Such steady conditions and warm summer nights led to an early harvest this year. Hand harvested at night to optimize acidity profile, the fruit produced was tight and concentrated. Deep color, vivid aromatics and bright fruit character.
Aged in new French Oak for 27 months.
Wine color is deep, inky, purple. Distinctive blue fruit aromatics in addition to cedar wood and violets. On the palate, noble tannins are velvety smooth and acidity well balanced. Diverse black fruit flavors prevail with subtle, pleasant minerality followed by a minute long finish.