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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
The 2000 vintage at Frazier Winery was the beginning of a new era, with fruit from our new ten-acre vineyard coming into production. Two additional clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot were planted to further our goals of producing the finest wines possible from our estate. The 2000 vintage also marks the first with our new designation for this wine. Previously labeled as Lupine Hill Vineyard, we have chosen to rename our property as the Frazier Family Estate. After the late harvest of 1998 and the even later harvest of 1999, 2000 took place in early to mid-October and it was completed before fall rains could intervene. The Cabernet Sauvignon was divided into 7 different pickings, the Merlot into 3, and the Cabernet Franc had its own picking. As has been our practice, the wines were cold-soaked for color extraction prior to fermentation, and then were left on the skins after fermentation for periods of up to 45 days. The free run was transferred to a combination of new French and American oak barrels for aging. During the aging process, the blends were assembled utilizing blending wines which were not previously available to us. We believe the 2000 Frazier Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to be our finest to date.
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Varietal Definition
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
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Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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Petit Verdot:
Petite Verdot is one of the five noble Bordeaux varietals, essentially acting as the nuts and bolts in most Bordeaux blends. With intense color and racy flavors, this wine possesses elements of pencil shavings, dark fruit presentation and a subtle complexity, which can be appreciated by even the most discerning palate.
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