Aonair Wines
Estate Conn Valley Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley, California, USA
Aonair’s other wines get more fanfare (mainly because there is more to go around), but their CabFranc was always my favorite offering. At a production size of 3 barrels, getting access could be a bit tricky but it was always worth it.
My note here is extremely similar to the 2014 I opened about this time last year. This was pop and poured. Made in a more powerful Napa style, there were zero green pepper notes. Aromatically, it was a combo of rich, ripe red and black fruits all dipped in fondue chocolate, baking spices like cinnamon and clove. Cedar too. While decadent in profile, there was plenty of acidity here to keep this from being too flabby. Notes of Christmas spice cake, red and black licorice, Black Forest cake shavings and a hint of herbs on the finish. Whereas the 2014 was more rich and hedonistic, this 2015 was more dusty and sported a much more powerful structure to the core.
Aonair’s other wines get more fanfare (mainly because there is more to go around), but their CabFranc was always my favorite offering. At a production size of 3 barrels, getting access could be a bit tricky but it was always worth it.
My note here is extremely similar to the 2014 I opened about this time last year. This was pop and poured. Made in a more powerful Napa style, there were zero green pepper notes. Aromatically, it was a combo of rich, ripe red and black fruits all dipped in fondue chocolate, baking spices like cinnamon and clove. Cedar too. While decadent in profile, there was plenty of acidity here to keep this from being too flabby. Notes of Christmas spice cake, red and black licorice, Black Forest cake shavings and a hint of herbs on the finish. Whereas the 2014 was more rich and hedonistic, this 2015 was more dusty and sported a much more powerful structure to the core.
Not only does the winery have gorgeous views atop Conn Valley in Napa overlooking Lake Hennessy, the wines are delicious...but more importantly, the people are gracious and kind. Highly recommend visiting.
Though their other wines get more fanfare (mainly because there is more to go around), their CabFranc is always my favorite offering. At a whopping 2 barrels of production, getting access can be a bit tricky. For a cab franc, there is zero green pepper notes. Aromatically, it is a combo of rich, ripe red and black fruits all dipped in fondue chocolate, baking spices like cinnamon and clove with a woodsy note like sandalwood. While decadent in profile, there is plenty of acidity here to keep this from being too flabby. Notes of Christmas spice cake, red and black licorice, Black Forest cake shavings and a hint of herbs on the finish. Still quite youthful, this seems to just be entering a drink phase.
Not only does the winery have gorgeous views atop Conn Valley in Napa overlooking Lake Hennessy, the wines are delicious...but more importantly, the people are gracious and kind. Highly recommend visiting.
Though their other wines get more fanfare (mainly because there is more to go around), their CabFranc is always my favorite offering. At a whopping 2 barrels of production, getting access can be a bit tricky. For a cab franc, there is zero green pepper notes. Aromatically, it is a combo of rich, ripe red and black fruits all dipped in fondue chocolate, baking spices like cinnamon and clove with a woodsy note like sandalwood. While decadent in profile, there is plenty of acidity here to keep this from being too flabby. Notes of Christmas spice cake, red and black licorice, Black Forest cake shavings and a hint of herbs on the finish. Still quite youthful, this seems to just be entering a drink phase.
A hint of licorice, berry in mid palate. Pairing with non-meat lasagne.
A hint of licorice, berry in mid palate. Pairing with non-meat lasagne.
Jan 1st, 2019Mighty fine sipping before putting the porterhouse on the grill.
Mighty fine sipping before putting the porterhouse on the grill.
Oct 29th, 2018
No one is going to confuse this for anything other than full-bodied Napa Cab Franc, but at that it’s a good one.
No one is going to confuse this for anything other than full-bodied Napa Cab Franc, but at that it’s a good one.
Mar 11th, 2018