Vintage Overview

An arid, warm vintage, 2013’s abnormally cool nights—a must for great vintages—allowed for development of phenolic compounds at levels our winemaker, Tony Biagi, hasn’t seen in his 20 years of winemaking. “By the end of harvest, I was convinced this was the best vintage I’d ever experienced,” he says. “Tannin and color levels were high yet beautifully proportioned, leading to wines with great structural integrity. The cool nights also preserved acidity and freshness, balanced by deep extraction of rich flavors—the best of both worlds.”  Suffice it to say we believe 2013 to be one of the greatest vintages in our winery’s history.

Tasting Profile

The dark beauty! Mysterious and brooding, this Cab Franc is laced with an amazingly elegant perfume of violets and rose petals. Firm, tightly knit tannins reveal a well-defined core draped in a layer of dark fruit richness thanks to a generous dose of Malbec in the blend. On the palate, notes of dark chocolate and coffee mingle with black currant and cassis.  The 2013 is more black-fruited than red, with an extra layer of richness and silkiness around the tight center core. 

Cellaring Potential

More linear on the palate than the voluptuous 2013 Blueline Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine is built for age. Beautiful balance and a long, trailing finish hint at its cellar potential yet the extra layer of silky fruit from the Malbec makes it wonderfully approachable as a young wine.  You can choose to drink the ‘13 now or hold out for more complexity over the next 20 years.   

~ Jeff Smith, October 19, 2015

Other Vintages

2016 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2015 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2014 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2012 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2011 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2010 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2009 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2008 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2007 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc
2006 Blueline Estate Cabernet Franc