Outward Wines - Cabernet Franc Curtis Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley 2022

 Located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, the position of Curtis Vineyard benefits from both relative warmth during the day and extreme diurnal temperature shifts at night. This ensures superior ripening of Bordeaux and Rhone varietals, while allowing the grapes to retain acidity.

In 2022, the grapes spent 21 days on the skins and were fermented with 50% whole cluster inclusion. We performed only gentle pour-overs to encourage carbonic maceration character in the whole clusters. After fermentation, the wine was basket pressed and aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling without fining or filtration in July 2023.

This Cab Franc offers lively fruit character as well as approachable pyrazines. Aromas of sun-kissed chile peppers, fresh pomegranate, black currant, and mineral pack a punch on the palate. The wine is both delightfully spicy on the nose and fruit-forward on the palate, with energetic tannins and vibrant acidity.

Only 72 cases produced.

This Cab Franc offers lively fruit character as well as nice savory, pyrazine aromas with hints of green peppercorn, black currant, and mineral, complemented by pomegranate and fresh berries from the whole cluster carbonic portion. The wine is savory and spicy, yet fruit-driven on the palate with supple tannins, and a lengthy finish.

Type: Red
Producer: Outward Wines
Varietal: Cab Franc
Country: California
Region: Santa Ynez Valley
Farming: Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable