Allora Vineyards
St. Helena Cabernet Franc
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
One of the bottles we brought back from our annual Napa trip in Sept of 2021. We try to visit 1-2 small/off the radar wineries during our visit, and this was a recommended stop by one of the wineries we were visiting. Off the beaten path outside of St Helena, behind Ehlers. Alycia Mondavi makes the wines for this very small family operation. All winemaking takes place at the family home on a beautiful secluded property. Luckily for me, they are known for their cab franc.
My score here is based on potential…this is probably closer to a 90-91 today. Compared to the 2012 I had a few months back where the main note was raspberry fig, this was a bit unyielding, even after a 3hr double decant and revisiting the next day. This is undeniably CabFranc in its fruit profile…lots of brambly red and black fruit like black cherries and dark plum with espresso and a hint of potpourri on the nose. The palate was a bit like a bull in a China shop as it was all over the place and quite gripping on the finish (unlike the 2012). Lots of dark, chalky notes with sweet pipe tobacco leaf wrapped berry fig. I’d leave this alone for 3-5yrs at least unless you can give it an extremely long decant.
One of the bottles we brought back from our annual Napa trip in Sept of 2021. We try to visit 1-2 small/off the radar wineries during our visit, and this was a recommended stop by one of the wineries we were visiting. Off the beaten path outside of St Helena, behind Ehlers. Alycia Mondavi makes the wines for this very small family operation. All winemaking takes place at the family home on a beautiful secluded property. Luckily for me, they are known for their cab franc.
My score here is based on potential…this is probably closer to a 90-91 today. Compared to the 2012 I had a few months back where the main note was raspberry fig, this was a bit unyielding, even after a 3hr double decant and revisiting the next day. This is undeniably CabFranc in its fruit profile…lots of brambly red and black fruit like black cherries and dark plum with espresso and a hint of potpourri on the nose. The palate was a bit like a bull in a China shop as it was all over the place and quite gripping on the finish (unlike the 2012). Lots of dark, chalky notes with sweet pipe tobacco leaf wrapped berry fig. I’d leave this alone for 3-5yrs at least unless you can give it an extremely long decant.
One of the bottles we brought back from our annual Napa trip last month. We try to visit 1-2 small/off the radar wineries during our visit, and this was a recommended stop by one of the wineries we were visiting.
Off the beaten path outside of St Helena, behind Ehlers. Alycia Mondavi makes the wines for this very small family operation. All winemaking takes place at the family home on a beautiful secluded property. Luckily for me, they are known for their cab franc. They allowed some library purchases, and this was one of them. The main note that sticks out is raspberry fig. Aromatics are very floral, but lean more red fruit as opposed to purple. Elegant red fruit like raspberries wrapped in cocoa with fig and baking spices. This 2012 was in a really nice spot as it wasn’t overly tannic, yet the finish is still sporting a touch of alcohol (14.4). It borders on integrated, which to me means this is just now entering prime drinking. Floral + raspberry fig and plenty of spiced rhubarb give this cab franc a richness without sacrificing structure.
One of the bottles we brought back from our annual Napa trip last month. We try to visit 1-2 small/off the radar wineries during our visit, and this was a recommended stop by one of the wineries we were visiting.
Off the beaten path outside of St Helena, behind Ehlers. Alycia Mondavi makes the wines for this very small family operation. All winemaking takes place at the family home on a beautiful secluded property. Luckily for me, they are known for their cab franc. They allowed some library purchases, and this was one of them. The main note that sticks out is raspberry fig. Aromatics are very floral, but lean more red fruit as opposed to purple. Elegant red fruit like raspberries wrapped in cocoa with fig and baking spices. This 2012 was in a really nice spot as it wasn’t overly tannic, yet the finish is still sporting a touch of alcohol (14.4). It borders on integrated, which to me means this is just now entering prime drinking. Floral + raspberry fig and plenty of spiced rhubarb give this cab franc a richness without sacrificing structure.
Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!
Not familiar with this producer. If guessing blind, would have gone 2011/2012 Oakville red blend. There was spice, pepper, clay and saddle leather on the nose with tobacco, ripe and baked blackberry, and plum on the palate. Really nice.
Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!
Not familiar with this producer. If guessing blind, would have gone 2011/2012 Oakville red blend. There was spice, pepper, clay and saddle leather on the nose with tobacco, ripe and baked blackberry, and plum on the palate. Really nice.
Allora Vineyards Cabernet Franc! Winery's best seller!
Allora Vineyards Cabernet Franc! Winery's best seller!
2 people found it helpfulApr 10th, 2015Holly had this 11 years ago
Holly had this 11 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJul 9th, 20132013 keeps shining with an elegant, integrated young but styling cab Franc.
2013 keeps shining with an elegant, integrated young but styling cab Franc.
Jul 6th, 2017Pretty good cab franc. Very well balanced
Pretty good cab franc. Very well balanced
Nov 8th, 2013
This is the most amazing Franc I’ve ever had !!!
This is the most amazing Franc I’ve ever had !!!
Oct 18th, 2019