2018 The Debate - Cabernet Franc Napa Sleeping Lady Vineyard (750ml)

The Debate was founded in 2010 by winemaker Jean Hoefliger and business partner Rob MacKay Jr., who met through their shared connection to Alpha Omega Winery, where Hoefliger served as founding winemaker. The label's concept centers on six single vineyard, single varietal wines, three Cabernet Sauvignon and three Cabernet Franc, chosen to show how dramatically terroir can shape the same grape across different sites. Hoefliger ferments and ages every wine in barrel, letting each vineyard's distinct character come through with minimal intervention.

Sleeping Lady Vineyard sits on the valley floor west of Highway 29 just south of Yountville, on land long farmed by the Bettinelli family. Despite its flat location, the vineyard has notably rocky, alluvial soils built from rounded river cobble, a structure that pushes vine roots deep and concentrates flavor in the fruit. This bottling is entirely Cabernet Franc, barrel fermented and left on its skins for nearly a month before spending eighteen months in French oak, a large majority of it new, to build texture and depth.

The wine opens with wild blueberry, red currant, and kirsch, layered with dried lavender, pencil shavings, and cardamom. The full bodied palate delivers boysenberry and mulberry framed by firm, fine grained tannins and real freshness. It pairs nicely with duck breast, lamb chops, or a wedge of aged manchego.