Antica
The wine
The lens of Antica Cabernet Franc reveals another aspect to our site, telling another part of its story.
Vineyard
Cabernet Franc harvest began on October 6, starting with Parcel 56, and the final parcels were harvested on October 18. All fruit was harvested in the early morning and transported to the winery in small, four-ton lots to maintain the fruit’s integrity. After destemming and sorting, whole berries were gravity-fed into conical fermentation tanks in the winery cave. After a three-day cold soak the tanks were gradually warmed to initiate fermentation. Cap management via a pneumatic punch-down system ensured gentle extraction and precise tannin development. After 14 days on the skins, the new wine was drained and transferred to new Taransaud French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was aged for 18 months, after which individual barrels were evaluated and blended to create a Cabernet Franc that expresses both varietal purity and the distinctive character of its Napa Valley mountain origin.
Winemaking
The 2023 vintage was one of the coolest and longest growing seasons in Napa Valley in over a decade. The substantial winter rainfall – 44 inches in our mountain vineyards – filled the soil with the water necessary in the spring for healthy vine growth. Bud break occurred later than usual, reducing spring frost risk, and ideal temperatures during berry set contributed to uniform and healthy Cabernet Franc clusters. Cooler weather throughout the growing season allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, thus maximizing flavors. The standout feature of the 2023 vintage is that the wines beautifully reflect their varietal character.
Historical Data
The Antinori Napa Valley Estate was born from the dream of Marchese Piero Antinori to create a sublime expression of Napa Valley mountain terroir after his first visit to Napa Valley in 1966. Twenty years later, in 1986, the Marchese invested in Napa Valley: a 1,200-acre site of rugged high-elevation terrain in a remote corner of the Vaca Mountain range, the finest parcels of which he transformed into immaculate vineyards over the past 37 years.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 Antica Cabernet Franc is very pretty and expressive, with a deep midnight purple color and aromas of fresh tobacco leaf, bay leaves, dark chocolate, white pepper, and spice. The wine finishes with savory notes of wet rock, dark cherry, and black tea. The intensity of the vintage is showcased in full splendor, displaying classic Cabernet Franc character with a depth typically found only in cooler vintages, such as 2023.
The lens of Antica Cabernet Franc reveals another aspect to our site, telling another part of its story.
Cabernet Franc harvest began on October 6, starting with Parcel 56, and the final parcels were harvested on October 18. All fruit was harvested in the early morning and transported to the winery in small, four-ton lots to maintain the fruit’s integrity. After destemming and sorting, whole berries were gravity-fed into conical fermentation tanks in the winery cave. After a three-day cold soak the tanks were gradually warmed to initiate fermentation. Cap management via a pneumatic punch-down system ensured gentle extraction and precise tannin development. After 14 days on the skins, the new wine was drained and transferred to new Taransaud French oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was aged for 18 months, after which individual barrels were evaluated and blended to create a Cabernet Franc that expresses both varietal purity and the distinctive character of its Napa Valley mountain origin.
The 2023 vintage was one of the coolest and longest growing seasons in Napa Valley in over a decade. The substantial winter rainfall – 44 inches in our mountain vineyards – filled the soil with the water necessary in the spring for healthy vine growth. Bud break occurred later than usual, reducing spring frost risk, and ideal temperatures during berry set contributed to uniform and healthy Cabernet Franc clusters. Cooler weather throughout the growing season allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, thus maximizing flavors. The standout feature of the 2023 vintage is that the wines beautifully reflect their varietal character.
The Antinori Napa Valley Estate was born from the dream of Marchese Piero Antinori to create a sublime expression of Napa Valley mountain terroir after his first visit to Napa Valley in 1966. Twenty years later, in 1986, the Marchese invested in Napa Valley: a 1,200-acre site of rugged high-elevation terrain in a remote corner of the Vaca Mountain range, the finest parcels of which he transformed into immaculate vineyards over the past 37 years.
The 2023 Antica Cabernet Franc is very pretty and expressive, with a deep midnight purple color and aromas of fresh tobacco leaf, bay leaves, dark chocolate, white pepper, and spice. The wine finishes with savory notes of wet rock, dark cherry, and black tea. The intensity of the vintage is showcased in full splendor, displaying classic Cabernet Franc character with a depth typically found only in cooler vintages, such as 2023.
Antinori Napa Valley
The Antinori Napa Valley Estate was born from the dream of Marchese Piero Antinori to create a sublime expression of Napa Valley mountain terroir after his first visit to Napa Valley in 1966.
