About This Wine

Cakebread Cellars’ 2023 Cabernet Franc captures the elegance and aromatic complexity that have made this variety one of Napa Valley’s most quietly compelling reds. Crafted from select vineyard sites across the valley, the wine leans into Cabernet Franc’s naturally expressive character while maintaining the polished balance that has defined Cakebread’s winemaking style for decades.

The nose is immediately inviting, opening with fragrant notes of violet, blackberry, and boysenberry layered with hints of bay leaf, dried herbs, and subtle baking spice. On the palate, the wine unfolds with supple flavors of ripe cherry, wild berries, and plum, accented by touches of green tea, clove, and a whisper of fennel that adds savory depth. Fine-grained tannins and bright Napa acidity give the wine a poised structure, while mineral undertones and dark fruit linger on a long, refined finish.

More graceful than the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignons yet equally complex, this Cabernet Franc shows the varietal’s hallmark balance of aromatic lift, savory nuance, and silky texture. The 2023 vintage delivers a wine that is both immediately appealing and quietly age-worthy—an elegant Napa red that pairs effortlessly with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and slow evenings around the table.