2021 Ballentine Vineyards - Cabernet Franc Napa Pocai Vineyard (750ml)

Ballentine Vineyards traces its Napa Valley roots back to 1906, when Frank Ballentine's great-grandfather purchased the Pocai Vineyard, reportedly paying with a pile of gold coins. The family's winemaking heritage runs even deeper through the Pocai side, whose Italian immigrant ancestors ran a bulk wine operation in Napa for decades before the estate transitioned to today's small-lot, family-run winery. Van and Betty Ballentine founded the modern label, and their son Frank now serves as general manager, continuing more than a century of continuous farming on the same ground.

Pocai Vineyard sits on the southern edge of the Calistoga appellation, on some of the rockiest terrain the family farms, off Maple Lane. It ranks among the warmest sites in Napa Valley, conditions that suit Cabernet Franc particularly well by allowing tannins to mature and flavors to fully develop by harvest. The 2021 wine was aged in 75 percent new French oak, a choice made specifically to reinforce the wine's natural spice, build mid-palate structure, and support its aromatic complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

This Cabernet Franc opens with ripe strawberry and cherry, offering a luscious sweetness balanced by earthy undertones and warm clove spice. The structure is bold, with layers that unfold into a long, complex finish. Pair it with grilled lamb chops, herb-roasted duck, or a sharp aged cheddar.