Chamlija Asticus Mons Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc doesn’t get a whole month of celebration the way Merlot does. And while #CabFranc day has passed (you can read my post about that here!) I’ve still got Cab Franc on the brain! How convenient then that I have some unwritten up tasting notes lying around.
Chamlija has been flirting with Cabernet Franc for years now. In fact, it was their original Cabernet Franc that really made me start paying attention to this grape here. I don’t ever see that on the market anymore (sad) as the winery has moved into higher-end wines. With matching higher-end prices…Cabernet Franc features as one of the wines in Chamlija’s Teruar Seresi (Terroir Series) and in the Asticus Mons line.
Chamlija Asticus Mons Cabernet Franc, 2017
Aged in French oak 24 months, the wine showed a deep ruby in the glass with a purple rim. Broody and complexly layered; aromas of cigar box struck the nose fist followed by leather, blackberry, and spice. A swirl revealed a hint of green pepper in the core and notes of chili pepper.
On the palate it was medium-full bodied, structured, and persistent with very good acidity, firm tannins, and high (14.5%) alcohol. Flavor intensity was less pronounced than the nose, due largely I think to the wine still being very young. The blackberries took the main stage here with dashes of smoke and leather. A very spicy wine, you could almost feel the sensation of spice as well as taste it.
We decanted this for over an hour but I think it would have benefited from even more time to breathe. A friend shared this one with me which means I get to keep hanging onto mine and let it “sleep” a little longer! Let’s see how it does in a few more years.