Westgate Cabernet Franc Curtis Vineyard 2020

Kevin Law is the owner and winemaker of Westgate, which is his collection inspired by St Emilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux, where the primary grapes are Merlot and Cab Franc.  

He is also an expert in Single vineyard Pinot and Chardonnay at his Cotiere Winery, so what we have here is Pinot lover’s Cabernet Franc, and from an interesting vintage too.

The Westgate wines are refined and lifted.  They are fruit forward, but also end with a big finish.  That combination makes them very easy to drink and crowd pleasing.  This wine is full of ripe strawberries, red tree fruit, hints of mint and green pepper, and a bit of black licorice.

The 2020 turned out to be even better than usual. Most vintages Kevin takes some of his best Cab Franc and blends in with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to make a Reserve red.  But in 2020 there were big fires, so he didn’t get any Cab Sav that year. This Franc, untouched by smoke and smoke taint, essentially became his wine of the vintage.

Pretty special stuff. 

Wines like this are perfect for anyone seeking that unique zone between Pinot and Cabernet.  For the holiday table, this is a winning pair for something like pomegranate and fennel glazed roast rack of lamb.