Cabernet Franc East Block 2019 Detert Family Vineyards

Tasting Note

Aromas of bittersweet chocolate and dark berries come to the fore, while notes of sage, sweet tobacco, and a light hint of anise lie beneath. It is precisely these aromas that are characteristic of “East Block.” On the palate, the 2019 “East Block” Cabernet Franc is a rich yet smooth wine; the tannins do not feel harsh but are instead refined and velvety. Mid-palate reveals hints of iron and graphite, followed by a long and rich finish. Let the wine breathe. If you leave it in a decanter for an hour, the aroma will open up much better.

Grape Varieties

The wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the entire harvest of which was picked from the “East Block” vineyard. Since 2009, Tom Garrett has selected one barrel annually from this 7-acre vineyard and bottled it as a single-barrel wine. The vines are descended from cuttings taken from the first Cabernet Franc vines planted in the Napa Valley in 1949. It is precisely the genetic characteristics of these old vines that give the wine its richness and a spiciness unusual for Napa.

Cellaring Potential

The wine can be enjoyed until 2036. The 2019 “Cabernet Franc East Block” possesses the tannic structure and concentration necessary for further aging, while the old, low-yielding vines provide it with aging potential. Store at a temperature of 12–14 °C. Over the next 10 years, the nuances of tobacco and anise will deepen, and the tannins will harmoniously blend with the fruity notes.

The Producer

Detert Family Vineyards East Block is located on a 7-acre plot in To Kalon (Oakville), and its Cabernet Franc vines are considered the oldest in Napa Valley. For decades, the family sold its entire harvest to Robert Mondavi. That changed in 2000, when Tom Garrett released the first batch of wine under the “Detert” label. Since 2009, he has carefully selected one barrel from the “East Block” each year and bottled it separately to demonstrate the full potential of these old vines in their purest form.

Terroir & Climate

The East Block is located on a plateau in the center of Oakville, east of the Mayacamas mountain range. The soil here is deep, well-drained alluvial gravel, the same type on which “To Kalon” earned its reputation. Water penetrates freely into the soil, the roots grow deep, and the vines continue to grow even in summer. This is precisely what gives this wine its two distinctive characteristics—on the one hand, a supple texture, and on the other, a dense structure. Oakville is warmer than Yountville to the south but cooler than the valleys further upstream, allowing the Cabernet Franc to ripen without overripening.

Winemaking

The guiding principle here is “restraint.” Every year, Tom Garrett selects enough grapes from the East Block harvest to fill a single barrel and produces wine exclusively from them, without blending them with grapes from the West Block, which are typically used for “Detert Cabernet Franc”. That is the whole concept. There are no manipulations intended to compensate for large-scale blends, nor any interventions designed to impose a particular style. Garrett completed internships at Turley, Joseph Phelps, and Robert Mondavi, and this experience is clearly reflected in his approach. The wine has the ripe fruit character typical of Napa, but it is by no means overprocessed. The wine’s structure is supported by old vines.

Food Pairing

Aromatic notes of sage, tobacco, and iron call for dishes with corresponding depth of flavor.

• Ribeye, grilled with rosemary and black pepper. The tannins need fat.
• Short ribs, carefully braised in a sauce with fennel and star anise
• Roast duck with a blackberry reduction sauce
• Aged “Fiscalini” Cheddar or “Vella Dry Jack” hard cheese

Serve at 17–18 °C. Decant the wine one hour before serving.