2004 Bismark Cabernet Franc

While usually used for blending, this vintage was such a stand-out that a small portion was bottled under the Bismark label

$45.00 per bottle

The Vineyard
Hanna’s Bismark Ranch in the Mayacamas Mountain is planted to three blocks of Cabernet Franc, including block 10, the steepest one the ranch. Soil is non existent to shallow, with white volcanic rhyolite predominating. In total we have 7 acres planted to clone 1 Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc can be vegetal, especially in cool mountainous vineyards. Early basal leaf pulling is a technique we use to minimize the production of typically intense bell pepper character and develop more complex aromas. Cabernet Franc is less tannic than its offspring Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vintage Notes
2004 began with a hot March, followed by a very mild and wet spring and cool summer –that is until the third week of August. A heat wave pushed sugars at Bismark. We held off picking the early-ripening Cabernet Franc until September 10th. The 2004 Cabernet Franc spent 32 months in thin stave Chateau barrels.

Tasting Notes
Olive, sage, blackberry, vanilla

Variety 95% Cabernet Franc; 2% Cabernet Sauvignon; 2% Malbec; 1% Merlot Vineyard Location Blocks 10, 5, 11, 23A of Hanna’s Bismark Mountain Ranch in Mayacamas Mountains; Sonoma Valley Appellation Age of Vines 13 years Alcohol 14.8% pH 3.76 Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.65 g/100 mL Residual Sugar 0.03% Harvest Date September 10, 2004 Brix at Harvest 27.6° Fermentation ICV-254; 10 days skin contact. Fermentation Temperature 78 to 82 o F Malolactic Fermentation 100% Length/Type of Aging 32 months in 60 gal oak barrels. Oak Types Primarily one-year Chateau barrels from St.Martin, Saury, and Loureiro cooperages. Bottling Date September 4, 2007 Number of Cases 140