Arrow&Branch Estate Cabernet Franc Coombsville 2019

Arrow&Branch founders Steve and Seanne Contursi have always shared a great love for the wines from Bordeaux and began their romance while traveling through this French winegrowing region in the mid-1980s.  Decades later, they established their Coombsville domaine to produce boutique and top-quality Bordeaux-inspired wines from the gorgeous Napa Valley landscape.  Lovingly called ~ Arrow&Branch ~ the name is a nod to the study and collection of rare coins.  On one side of most US coins is an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons.  Steve’s passion for coins began at the age of seven as a paperboy whose earnings came in the form of coins.  Eventually, he took his childhood hobby and started one of America’s most respected and renowned dealerships: Rare Coin Wholesalers.

In the fall of 2007, Steve and Seanne purchased a vineyard property in the heart of Coombsville from Napa Valley legend Tony Soter, the source of Soter’s renowned and highly rated “Little Creek” Cabernet Franc.  As avid wine collectors and entrepreneurs, Steve and Seanne set out to make wine from this exceptional land and hired the best vineyard manager and best winemaker to share in their dream.  Enter esteemed viticulturist Michael Wolf and highly regarded winemaker Jennifer Williams (formerly of Araujo, Abreu, and Spottswoode), who joined the team in April 2011.  As you can see, Jennifer has been mentored and coached by the Who’s Who of Napa Valley, so it’s safe to say you are in the best hands possible when claiming these Arrow&Branch wines as gems!

The Contursis continued the estate’s legacy by maintaining the original Cabernet Franc vines and adding more Cabernet Franc to the property in 2011 and 2017.  A Napa Valley vineyard planted entirely to Cabernet Franc is somewhat unheard of; however, the prime location in the cool-climate terroir of Coombsville is too good a “pairing” to pass up.  A faithful wind blows into Coombsville from San Pablo Bay every afternoon, allowing the fruit to settle down from the midday sun, hang on the vine longer, and achieve ultimate, even ripeness.  The bay also brings the fog in the mornings, so the grapes stay tucked in at a cool temperature until the late morning/early afternoon when they soak up all the best hours of the California sunshine and avoid heat spikes. Soil types in Coombsville are predominantly volcanic and well-draining, which benefits Cabernet Franc as the varietal likes to set lots of fruit and must be gently restrained to avoid diluting the berries.  The Coombsville dirt does just that and, in conjunction with the micro-climate, is a winning combination for the Arrow&Branch Vineyard.

Less than 100 cases were produced of the 2019 Estate Cabernet Franc, which, until this release, was a wine allocated solely to Arrow&Branch’s mailing list.  The extended ripening meant two pick dates, one in early October and one a couple of weeks later.  After harvest, the 100% Cabernet Franc aged for 20 months in 45% new French oak.   Wild blueberries, crushed stone, and wildflowers dominate the aromas, with blackberry and unctuous earth tones on the palate.  An unexpectedly vivid acidity underlines the fruit notes and balances with the fine-grained tannins.  While a delicious glass to cherish in the present, this Cabernet Franc will undoubtedly age with grace and be an intriguingly luscious future indulgence.