Stranger Wine Co. 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Lake Michigan Shore
Item Number: 18518
UPC: None
Country: USA
Region: Michigan
Sub Region: Lake Michigan Shore
Appellation/AVA: Lake Michigan Shore
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vineyard Designation: Abigail’s Vineyard
Vintage: 2021
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 12.8
pH: 3.48
Viticulture: Regenerative
Soil Type: Spinks loamy fine sand
Elevation: 765 feet
Case Production: 70
Winemaking Philosophy: Stranger Wine Company is dedicated to creating small batch, minimal intervention wines that highlight Michigan's Vitis vinifera. As part of the commitment to highlighting the unique terroir of the region, they practice regenerative viticulture, primarily utilize native fermentation, and do not alter the wines with any finishing additives. Sulfites are used minimally prior to bottling to ensure the products stay fresh right up to the moment you are enjoying them in your glass.
Vintage Notes: 2021 in SW Michigan began with a hard frost a day after Mother’s Day. Luckily, most of the high elevation vineyards were not affected by the frost. Avonlea Estate saw about 15% loss in the lowest lying Pinot Noir block, however the rest of the vineyard was not affected. The cold spring was juxtaposed with a month of severe drought and 90+ degree conditions, causing an explosion of growth in a very short amount of time, which began to settle into normal day time temperatures (80-83) and cooler nights (55-60) as the vines moved toward flowering. July and August were moderated by intense wind off of Lake Michigan, allowing the vines to focus on fruit set and ripening. Late August into September brought early rains, a classic sign of La Nina fronts, and the winery battled intense mildew and rot pressures up until harvest. Though the end of the year proved to be difficult, the vines produced concentrated, high acid wines that are reflected of the intense farming year.
Winemaking Notes: The Cabernet Franc grapes were destemmed and cold soaked for 5 days. Fermentation occurred with native yeast in egg. Extended maceration lasted for 10 days. The wine matured for 13 months in a mix of neutral 500-liter puncheon and 228-liter barrel with lees stirring.
Tasting Notes: This is a much richer, fuller and bolder version than Stranger Wine Co.'s early release Cabernet Franc. Both spent time in identical neutral oak, but the Stranger Reserve Cabernet Franc's lees were stirred during its entire elevage. This added an intensity to the aromatics and a weight to the midpalate. It is a perfect wine for an intro into Michigan for those who are coming from west coast domestic regions. Almost no pyrazine, this is full of blackberry, cassis, violet candy and ancho chile. Medium + acid and well integrated but= dusty tannin give the wine a body and depth not seen or experienced in the early release. It is a more structured and elevated wine.