Wolffer Estate 2005 Caya Cabernet Franc
Wolffer Estate's winemaker, Roman Roth, made some delicious and unique wines to commemorate the winery's 20th anniversary, and this wine the Wolffer Estate 2005 "Caya" Cabernet Franc ($40) is one of them (even if I liked the 04 a bit better). The commemorative wines are all named for horses in the Wolffer Stables and this one bears the name of Caya, a 16- year old Hanoverian Warmblood and a Grand Prix winner.
This blend of 86% cabernet franc and 14% merlot shows ripe, intense blackberry and cassis fruit aromas on the nose, which are accented by vanilla, toasty oak and some dried plum layered beneath.
Though perhaps a little less intense than the nose, the medium-bodied palate presents ripe black fruit flavors — blackberry and black raspberry — with a vein of toasty oak running through. There is good structure here with ripe, well-integrated tannins and some acidity (which would make this a good choice with food). There is an earthy, gravelly note that lingers on the long finish.
On day two, a bit of spice started to peek through on both the nose and palate. I think that this wine will improve in bottle for at least 3-5 years.
It doesn't take long to find several different style of cab franc being made on Long Island. This one is true to Wolffer's long-standing style, which is decidedly more Bordeaux than Loire.
Grape(s): 86% cabernet franc, 14% merlot
Producer: Wolffer Estate
AVA: The Hamptons, Long Island
Price: $40
Rating:
(3.5 out of 5 | Very good-to-Delicious)
