2005 Viader Dare Cabernet Franc
Mission Codename: I (Via)Dare you!
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Procure a stunning Napa Valley Cabernet Franc for our impatient, Franc-loving Operatives
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Viader
Wine Subject: 2005 Cabernet Franc
Winemakers: Delia Viader, Alan Viader and Michel Rolland
Backgrounder:
Cabernet Franc is one of Agent Red’s favorite red varietals. Perhaps this is because its flavors are often rich, layered, complex and elegant. Or, perhaps he loves Cabernet Franc so much because it pairs so exceptionally with many different foods. One of the most notable things about Cabernet Franc is the fact that finding excellent examples can be very difficult. This explains why we have not shown a Cab Franc here in some time. Agent Red recently scoured the Napa Valley to bring you today’s exceptional selection from our new friends at Viader. Red Red’s tasting notes and mission report below
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look Beautiful, deep burgundy with a deep heart of dark garnet with concentrated color right out to its edges at the outside of the glass. Heavy and fast-settling, this wine leaves behind tightlly-packed skinny-thin legs that crawl down the glass at differing speeds
Smell – Perfumy rushes of bright fruit of cherry, cassis and tart plum lead the way and then yield to lusher and more dark aromas of mixed berry, smoky cedar, oak, spice and a hint of sweet tobacco
Feel – Velvety and very wet, up front, then smooth lush tannins grab hold at the mid while the wine coats the entire mouth and introduce a slight drying effect
Taste – Cassis, cherry, strawberry, plum and raspberry with distinctive and delicious pine tar, Dutch licorice, mineral and smoky black cherry
Finish – Ultra-long and velvety, flavorful then slightly drying – which makes your mouth water, reminding you to take another delicious sip
Conclusion -This Viader Cabernet Franc is a stunning example of great Cabernet Franc. Its an American wine that could teach a thing or two to French Cabernet Franc. It is supple, sophisticated, refined, and tons of fun to drink. An unpretentious wine, this is the sort of conversation wine that I have referred to in the past; It encourages exploration and discussion. Cabernet Franc is always a food friendly wine and this example is no exception. With a bright acidity, balance and great flavors that won’t overpower most foods, this wine could pair with nearly any food. Are you a current Cabernet Franc drinker? If you are, you’ll flip for this wine. If not, I’ll issue this warning: Do NOT buy this wine if you don’t want to become hooked on great Cab Franc!
Mission Brief:
As a regular reader of my mission reports, you know of my profound love of Cabernet Franc. To me, this underdog varietal does not get the respect that it deserves. Well, in this country, anyhow.
Cabernet Franc, the genetic parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (its other parent is Sauvignon Blanc), when done right, is the perfect red wine for any situation. With enough acidity to make it a great pairing partner for most foods, and enough flavor to make it a superb solo-sipper, Cab Franc delivers on flexibility and great taste.
Sometimes, my love for the varietal gets on the nerve of my fellow agents. Some of my colleagues seem to think that the zeal with which I pursue the perfect Cabernet Franc – and the length of time I may take to find it – is misguided and unproductive. I strenuously disagree, of course, but this does partially explain why you have not seen a Cabernet Franc here in recent months. As much as it pained me, I had been staying away, deliberately. That, and I had been somewhat disheartened by the examples that I was tasting.
Recently, Agent Sparkle threw down a challenge. She reminded me of the Dazzling Dozen tasting that I had conducted last year. “I double dare you to find a better Cabernet Franc than last year’s winner,” She said.
She dared to dare me, did she? Well, if you know me like she does, you know by now that I cannot resist a challenge. Especially not one having to do with finding an exceptional Cab Franc! It was about time I was back on that particular case!
And so, I readily accepted. “Dare me? You should know better! How long do I have, a week?”
Agent sparkle laughed at this and said, “24 hours!”
I swallowed hard and tried to keep my cool. “I accept,” I said. I hoped that the did not hear the slight quaver in my voice.
Back in my auxiliary Ops Center, I sat an pondered my foolhardiness. 24 hours!? Not nearly enough time. She knows how picky I am about Cab Franc, I though. Why did I have to accept her dare.
Dare… Dare… DARE! That’s it, I thought, and quickly I logged on to my private server, accessing recent intel reports from assets in the field. Viader, in Napa, was at the top of the list of Cabernet Franc-producing wineries that I was advised to surveil. Most assets who tried Viader’s Dare, Cab Franc, reported on its supreme quality. Why had I not visited sooner?
A quick trip to the beautiful winery, set at 1200 feet on Napa’s fabled Howell Mountain, proved somewhat easier than I had expected, given that at Viader, tastings are by appointment only. Luckily, when I phoned in, I found that they had just had a cancellation.
After just 15 minutes with their 2005 Dare, I was absolutely enamored! Then and there I revealed my identity – and my intentions. Lucky for you, dear Operative, I was able to come away with a handful of cases of this beautiful wine.
As for Agent Sparkle’s challenge, a blind tasting of the 2005 Dare and 5 other superior Cabernet Francs proved to her that Cab Franc – and me, Agent RED, could still deliver.
And then some!
Enjoy today’s incredible Cabernet Franc. If you are a friend of Franc, you will not be disappointed. Never tried a Cab Franc? Go for it with today’s wine, but be warned: You’ll be hooked – and hard pressed to find a better example.
