It comes padded, not loud—soft-footed, controlled. But beneath that polished pour lies something wilder. The wine glows deep ruby, its scent creeping forward: blueberry, violet, dried herbs, and a flick of graphite, like claws just barely unsheathed.
You sip. It’s smooth—at first. Silken fruit, rose petals, and cool acidity. But then it digs in—fine, taut tannins grip the edges, and a savoury streak of licorice and gunpowder growls through the finish. This isn’t chaotic—it’s trained instinct, a wine that prowls with purpose and holds your gaze a second too long.
Pair it with chargrilled lamb, smoked mushrooms, or an evening that starts soft, then bares its teeth.
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA Grapes: Cabernet Franc
