From Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, the Only Bottling of the Rare 214 Clone in California
St. Helena, CA, October 24, 2022 – John Skupny, winemaker/proprietor of Lang & Reed Napa Valley, has been exploring Cabernet Franc clones for almost three decades. A unique selection he came upon in the 1990’s was Clone 214, a cultivar that originated in the Loire Valley of France, home to some of the world’s most renowned Cabernet Franc vineyards and producers. With the 2018 vintage marking its twelfth iteration, Lang & Reed’s Two-Fourteen expresses what Skupny believes is his highest achievement in creating a wine made exclusively from Cabernet Franc and the only known bottling of this rare clone in California.
2018 was a typical, easy-going vintage in Napa Valley, which produced a wine of stature. With silky legs that coat the glass, this Cabernet Franc is a rich, deep red color. An exotic mix of dark berry fruit, dried herbs, and violet aromas jump from the wine. On the palate, the berries mix with dark plum flavors along with a touch of Swiss chocolate and notes of toasted vanilla. Opulent and smooth, each sip offers mouthwatering acidity and velvety tannins. This vintage stays in pleasing balance and maintains an intriguing complexity. Luscious to drink right now with hearty fare, but the 2018 Two-Fourteen is also suitably structured to age well for many years.
Fifteen years ago, in 2007, Skupny found a vineyard located on ideal rocky soils on a beautiful hillside slope in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley. The Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard benefits from moderate temperatures and cooling breezes that emanate from the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay. This new world climate combined with this old world Loire Clone 214 provides the basis for a unique and immensely gratifying presentation of the Cabernet Franc grape.
About Lang & Reed Napa Valley
Located at 1244 Spring St in St Helena, CA, Lang & Reed is one of the few wineries in Napa Valley to specialize in 100% Cabernet Franc and explore the distinct charms of Chenin Blanc. They have long been inspired by and passionate about giving these varieties an opportunity to shine – true to type, pure in flavor. The wine-producing Skupny family has been creating expressive wines that are enjoyable to drink since 1996. Winemaking is a form of storytelling for the Skupny family, and Lang & Reed wines tell a tale of a multi-generational family business and their wonderful wine-filled life together.
Spring House, an historic Victorian that is now home to Lang & Reed’s tasting salon, is right off the hub of St Helena’s Main Street, where Tracey, John, Reed and Megan Skupny offer intimate, appointment-only tastings that allow visitors to get to know the family behind the brand, while they impart their affection for Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. To learn more about Lang & Reed Napa Valley, 2018 Two-Fourteen Cabernet Franc and other upcoming wine releases, visit their website (https://langandreed.com/) and follow them on Instagram (@langandreed) and Facebook (@langandreed)).
