Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica 09

Review:

The Rosa Mystica Block Vineyard is a Cab lover's Cab Franc. Black color, ripe fruit, blackberry cedar nose, ripe, rich textured finish. This is a multi-dimensional wine, nothing like usual Cab Franc- too good to be a mixing wine, this Cab Franc stands on its own. David says the vineyard makes wonderful fruit but is exposed to extreme weather stress, resulting in tiny harvest of small, intensely flavored grapes. A wine to share with friends- they'll be impressed! - Jean

2008 Vintage Tasting Notes

This wine is all about elegance and sophistication. The aromas are complex--bright red berry, perfume, and cedar. Initially, the wine is supple and delicate, hiding a richness and depth that fleshes out with a minute or two of air. It's surprisingly drinkable now for a young wine, and will win over even the most ardent Cab Franc "non-believer."

2008 Wine Spectator - 92 points - Silky and lively, this is appealing for its raspberry, red plum, floral and clove flavors, neatly wrapped with refined tannins, lingering well. Shows style and grace. Drink now through 2015. 960 cases made. - H.S.

2007 Vintage Tasting Notes

Aromas of bright red berries, wet stone, cardamom. Elegant flavors of red berry liquer and currant on the palate conceals the spicy tannins and grilled herbs on the finish.

2007 Wine Spectator - 92 points - Aromatic with floral and savory herb notes, then expands in the mouth with supple blackberry and cherry fruit, finishing expressively with rich texture. Drink now through 2015. - H.S.

Lush, mouth coating, sweet fruit dominates this hedonistic offering. The nose screams black fruit and white flowers, and the flavors are of rich black cherry, black raspberry, black plum, and cassis, with undercurrents of cedar pencil box and smoke.

This Rosa Mystica Cabernet Franc has elements of old-world charm and fragrance, yet its bright berry and plush richness is all new world. The wine is made from grapes sourced from four different vineyards. Three of the vineyards are situated on hillsides high in the western Yakima Valley. The fourth small block is from Steve Elerding's Six Prong Vineyard along the Columbia River in Alderdale. Ripening their small crops in late October, all four vineyards yielded wonderfully rich fruit flavors with nice acidity.

In the winery, David has been careful not to employ too much new oak, trying to gently coax characteristics that are expressive of this fragrant and complex varietal. This 2005 wine has all the hallmarks of a world-class Cabernet Franc and its ripeness and power do not overshadow the delicacy of its cedar fragrance, olives and beautiful berry fruit.

2005 Wine Spectator - 91 points - Broad and generous, though not heavy, this bristles with juicy plum and floral aromas and flavors, fine-grained tannins and a sweet touch of spice as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2011. 511 cases made. - H.S.

2004 Vintage Tasting Notes

The 2004 is all about fragrance - it has an other worldly intensity of scent, with violets and fresh herbs in the nose, following through in the mouth. The wine is richer than last year's - the vintage was a small one, with intensity trumping quantity - it's very limited this year. If you like intense, dark Cab Franc with an exotic flavor twist, you'll enjoy this wine.

The grapes are sourced from the very special Rosa Mystica Block Vineyard in West Yakima, plus grapes from a new site that David is quite excited about, Slide Mountain Vineyard. There's a bit of Elerding Vineyard fruit in the mix as well.

The extreme stress the vines are exposed to results in complexity, texture, rich flavors, and a distinct sense of terroir.

2004 Wine Spectator - 91 points - Velvety, round and beautifully focused on its blueberry, currant and plum fruit, the finish picking up lovely grace notes of white pepper and distinctly floral character. The finish sails on against superfine tannins. Drink now through 2014. 301 cases made. - H.S.

2003 Vintage Tasting Notes

2003 Wine Spectator - 91 points - Smooth and appealing for its juicy cherry and herb character, resting on a supple frame, finishing with fine tannins as the flavors persist through the harmonious finish. Drink now through 2010. 301 cases made. - H.S.