2022 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Franc Napa Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Cakebread Cellars is what happens when a 50-year-old Napa icon decides to stay relevant. Since the early days, they've been the definition of reliable blue-chip Cabernet — the kind of producer that shows up in serious cellars without needing to flex. But the 2022 vintage lets them flex anyway.

Cabernet Franc in Napa is a rare lead role. It's the grape that usually plays second fiddle to Cabernet Sauvignon, adding perfume and structure to the blend. Here, it gets the spotlight — and the result is a wine that trades Cab's brute force for Franc's aromatic finesse and bright, herbal backbone. Think less power, more precision. Less oak bomb, more dinner-table poetry.

The 2022 season was mild and even across Napa Valley, with steady ripening and persistent drought conditions that let the vines self-regulate. The result is concentrated flavors without the heat — fruit that's ripe but not overripe, with natural acidity holding the line. Black cherry, red plum, fennel seeds, and violet on the nose. Fresh raspberry, strawberry jam, dried sage, cigar box, and vanilla on the palate. Elegant tannins, sweet fruit, and a savory herbal thread that keeps it interesting.