DECEMBER WINE OF THE MONTH

2019 Restoration Vineyards Estate Cabernet Franc Grand Valley

This sort of thing seems to happen a lot.

In our recently completed Colorado Wine Experience Competition, the top nine overall scoring wines all took home Best-in-Class medals. Except one. The fourth highest rated wine of the entire competition was the 2019 Restoration Vineyards Estate Cabernet Franc Grand Valley. The only reason it didn’t win a medal is because the Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc from the same producer was the number one overall wine (and therefore Best Cab Franc). Still, the Estate Cabernet Franc was of such high quality that we believe it deserves to be honored. That’s why it is our December wine of the month.

Restoration Vineyards was founded by Linda and Gary Brauns, who have a passion for restoration projects. Gary began by restoring old Volkswagens, which led him to a career as a parts distributor for Mercedes Benz, the cars he now restores. The couple has also supplemented their income by flipping houses.

It should come as no surprise, then, that in 2012

the Brauns bought a dying 10-acre vineyard in Palisade, Colorado, on East Orchard Mesa, above the Colorado River, known as the “stick vineyard.” They originally planned to flip it in a couple of years but those plans changed when “the sticks” produced a Chardonnay crop in their first year of ownership. Linda learned how to make wine and a new passion was born.

The Brauns opened their tasting room in 2018 and today Restoration Vineyards grows Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Critical acclaim and accolades for their wines have followed.

Their 2019 Estate Cabernet Franc is a model wine for teaching others how to identify aromas and flavors because there is so much to offer. A nose of stewed black cherry, black currant, cherry blossom, clove, bell pepper, prune, cedar, and leather. On the palate expect black cherry, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry jam on toast, warm spices, oak, tar, and turned earth, all building to wet slate and chocolate on the long finish. So pleasingly complex and balanced. Medium plus acid and tannin provide impressive structure and ageability. Just an outstanding wine.

Of course, at Peninsula Underground we are most impressed with value. At $38 a bottle this wine is about 40% less than the reserve. It is well worth your purchase. We suggest at least half a case. You can thank us later.

For delivering a great wine of great value that is ready to drink tonight (and for quite some time), the 2019 Restoration Vineyards Estate Cabernet, Franc Grand Valley is our December wine of the month.

Get in contact and purchase here:

https://restorationvineyards.com

@restorationvineyards