Robert Foley, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, California, 2021

Overview of the Wine
Robert (Bob) Foley began his wine making career in the Napa Valley in 1977, having just graduated from UC Davis with degrees in both Viticulture and Enology. He spent his first year working for Heitz Cellars, followed by 15 years as the founding winemaker for Markham Vineyards.

In 1992, Bob began another 15 years as the founding winemaker for Pride Mountain Vineyards. During this period, he also created the highly acclaimed Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, and School House wines. He now focuses mostly on Robert Foley Vineyards wines, but also creates the offerings of Shelter, Padis Vineyards, Herson Family Vineyards, and JennaMarise Wines in the Napa Valley.​

In 1998 Robert Foley Vineyards bottled its flagship Claret and has since expanded and diversified its production to offer more of the big reds Bob is famous for – Petite Sirah, Merlot, Charbono, the limited-release Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Howell Mountain Merlot from our estate property, a Carneros Pinot Noir, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Griffin (a blend of the best in the red cellar that changes varietal composition each vintage). Bob has also bottled three of his favorites: a medium-bodied Chablis-style Chardonnay, a Syrah called Kelly's Cuvée, and a Port-style dessert wine named Conclusão.​

Bob’s reputation for producing very expressive wines that finish gracefully continues to develop at his winery facility on Napa County’s Howell Mountain, where more than 1,000 barrels are housed in an extensive cave system (completed in 2008) for the production of Robert Foley wines.

Robert Foley Vineyards is a full-time staff of three that handcrafts the wines (Bob) and run the office (Kellyand Shannon). In the tasting room, Kelly's dad Jerryhelps out from time to time.

Mina, Spike, and Jimmy da Kitten are the feline Office Interns in charge of treats, naps, and distraction, while Princess Bella and King Tommy proudly preside as our official Winery Cats.​

When Bob's not making wine, he spends time with his wife (and RFV's business manager) Kelly Kehoe, and his children and granddaughters. You can also find him singing and playing guitar in The Robert  Foley Bandor SCUBA diving.

Grape / Blend
Cabernet Franc

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker Tasting Notes
Dark ruby in color, this fully ripe Cabernet Franc steers away from green character and delivers aromas of ripe blueberry and a bouquet of roses. The youthful body is full with flavorful mid-palate grip and beautifully balanced natural acidity that resolves with very soft tannins in a lingering finish. Enjoy this wine now with the meal of your choice and rest assured bottle-aging for 10+ years will provide extended enjoyment.

Since the inception of Robert Foley Vineyards' wine production, we have had relentless urging by friends familiar with my work with Cabernet Franc to resume making this wine. Experience with it in the early 1980s, coaching and encouragement by André Tchelistcheff, and the chance to work with high elevation vineyards where exposure plays key elements in flavor development inspired me to work again with this variety. 

With consumer and culinary interest in this variety increasing, our friends have become more insistent. As good fortune has it, we began working with a high elevation vineyard east of Atlas Peak where plantings of Cabernet Franc benefit from warmth and exposure allowing for even and complete ripening. 

The 2021 vintage is our first Franc bottling under our label. Normally we like to bottle-age our red wines for several years before release, but in this case we are offering our 2021 Cabernet Franc at a younger stage. Enjoy this wine now with the meal of your choice and rest assured bottle-aging for ten to twenty more years will provide extended enjoyment.

Product size: 750ml