Vintage Overview

The 2009 harvest will be remembered as one of relative ease. There were no real heat spikes and the Blueline Estate blocks came into maturity over a relatively long season. The steady season produced showy, deep fruit-forward characteristics combined with good varietal expression favoring the darker side of the fruit spectrum. The extended hang time and moderate conditions delivered physiological ripeness without excessive sugars, yielding balanced grape chemistry. This is a strong vintage, in many ways similar to 2006, with good aging potential characterized by bright structural acidity, good tannin integration, and solid varietal expression. 

Tasting Profile

Cabernet Franc is often referred to as a thinking man’s wine. If so, the 2009 Blueline Cabernet Franc is a bit of a contradiction—more enchanting than thought provoking! High-toned floral aromatics of candied violets and dried crushed rose petals are its haunting magic and enticing beacon. Roasted espresso beans and graphite minerality weave through the floral ether to add depth and intrigue. Deep ripe fruit character with notes of cassis and black currant—the result of the well-drained mineral soils of our Blueline vineyard—unveils a dark, seductive temperament. Concentrated richness is contained in a tightly resolved center core and delineated structure creating that beautiful tension between excess and restraint. As such, this Cabernet Franc is a beautiful paradox like many of the great pleasures of life. Sleek, polished tannins provide suppleness yet the core contains serious structure, revealing a wine of great aging potential.

Cellaring Potential

Blueline Estate Cab Franc tends to exhibit a firm structural core with tight interlocking tannins. This structure has led to good aging potential through all the vintages thus far. The ‘09 BLCF has some added layers of fruit forwardness wrapped around the center core, making it approachable upon release while it retains the stuffing to age well for 20 years.  

~ Jeff Smith, January 2016

Other Vintages

2015 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2014 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2013 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2012 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2011 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2010 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2008 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2007 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2006 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc