2003 Jarvis Cabernet Franc

It was made by Dimitri Tchelistcheff, a winemaker for over 50 years, and son of the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff, and and the experience clearly shows in this wine. I have had a good number US Cab Francs that have just been over-extracted fruit bombs, but this one was stunning in its elegance and balance. It was aged for 19 months in 100% new French oak, but Tchelistcheff has managed it skillfully, keeping it from being an overpowering element, and has balanced it beautifully with the black cherry and plum fruit. There is also a hint of greenness to it that I find somewhat refreshing. It is smooth and rich in the mouth, medium/full-bodied, has velvety tannins and a lingering complex finish. This is what all US Cab Francs should aspire to (though I haven't tasted any from Washington recently), easily the best I have tasted in a long while. One HUGE negative, though, is its prohibitive price at around $55-60 a bottle!! (04/10)