Fort Berens Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

I have to say I am really liking what Fort Berens Estate Winery Winemaker, Alex Ned, is creating for the winery. For example, Cabernet Franc 2021 is a lighter ruby hue than previous vintages, and so you would think lighter in body… but not, and the wine is incredibly elegant. More savoury than fruity, but not jammy. Acidity is fresh, but not overdone. In fact, I had to sit and ponder this wine a bit; it really threw me for a style loop. Everything is there for a classic Cabernet Franc: the ripe dark berry, raspberry, flinty notes, hints of fine herbs, earthy flavours and subtle spicy notes with a lingering and silky finish, but up several notches on finesse. Tasted January 2024.

Cab Franc 2021 (95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) was forged in the year of the heat dome. This vintage saw temperatures of 48° C, the highest ever recorded in Lillooet. Talk about trial by fire. Temperatures did return to seasonal, but with increased precipitation during the growing season. However, the season did stretch out giving the red wine grapes more hang time and above normal grape yields. This vintage was aged 15 months in French oak barrels (5% new). Pretty delicious now but will easily hold to 2028. Enjoy with a rosemary and garlic rubbed rack of lamb done rare.