The ‘Earthquake Vintage’: The fourth Cabernet Franc released in the exclusive Monograph Collection
St. Helena, CA, March 20, 2024 – Exploring the versatile character of Cabernet Franc for almost three decades, Lang & Reed Napa Valley launches the fourth wine in their coveted Monograph Collection, a 2014 Bois Sauvage Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley ($250). With only 19 cases produced, this exceptional Cabernet Franc is known as the ‘Earthquake vintage’, named from the 6.0 earthquake that shook Napa Valley at the advent of harvest. The fruit, Block 9 – Entav Clone 214, was sourced from Sugarloaf Mountain, which resides on an exposed spine of volcanic rock. Little topsoil makes it a challenging environment for growing wine, and an ideal location for this specific clone of Cabernet Franc.
‘Bois Sauvage’ translates to ‘wild wood’, and this wine seemed to ask for extended barrel aging. The 32-months of extended barrel aging took place in a François Frères – Bourgogne Tradition barrel from forests in the center of France. The Cabernet Franc from this cool hillside slope of Sugarloaf married and aged in this special barrel, making for a very wild combination.
Opening with a broad and effusive bouquet, there’s distillation of scents and nuance, warm berries, dried flowers and herbs, sandalwood, bark and crème de cassis. This exotic mix of scents are held together on the palate with an energy and freshness that belies its ten-year age. The flavor is smooth and rich with mirrored descriptions of the bouquet with a touch of Swiss chocolate to add intrigue. The middle and end impressions are expansive and lengthy, still possessing vigor and memory. A very tasty wine at a decade old, it still has enough substance for a little more time in the cellar.
Inspired by the world’s finest Cabernet Franc and passionate about its home in the Napa Valley, Winemaker John Skupny raises the bar with his exclusive Monograph Collection. Every so often, among all the wines resting in the cellar, there is one barrel or one tiny lot of Cabernet Franc that sings out as something quite stunning, almost magical, setting it apart from all the others. Wines in the Monograph Collection have a story to tell, one that is theirs and theirs alone. The 2014 ‘Bois Sauvage’ Cabernet Franc is the first addition to the Monograph Collection in three years.
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, their 2014 ‘Bois Sauvage’ Cabernet Franc and other upcoming wine releases, visit their website (https://langandreed.com/) and follow them on Instagram (@langandreed) and Facebook (@langandreed).
