This post has been sponsored by Cab Franc Forward and Fjord Vineyards. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+.
Cabernet Franc is the Hudson River region's flagship red. In fact, it is the most widely planted red grape in New York State, and Hudson Valley is making a strong case as to why this varietal deserves the spotlight.
The 2024 Cabernet Franc from Fjord Vineyards is one of the best examples that we've tasted here at Living the Gourmet, being floral, juicy, savory, and remarkably food-friendly. Read on for tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and a quick look at one of America's oldest wine-growing regions.
The Renaissance of One of America's Oldest Wine-Growing Regions
The history of winemaking in the Hudson Valley stretches back to the 1600s, and the region is home to what are widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States. For much of the region's history, however, the wineries relied on hardy native grapes such as Concord, as well as hybrid grapes.
That formula has changed dramatically over the past few decades, and key to that change has been the embrace of Cabernet Franc, which thrives in cool climates such as Upstate New York, meaning that Cabernet Franc requires fewer warm days than its venerable offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Several of the area's top wineries, Fjord Vineyards among them, have joined together to form the Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc Coalition, with the goal of making Cabernet Franc the region's signature varietal.
Fjord Vineyards' Minimal-Intervention Winemaking Approach
Fjord Vineyards is located in Milton, New York, on the west bank of the Hudson River. Matthew Spaccarelli, who is Fjord's co-owner and winemaker, has long favored a brighter, softer, and ultimately more approachable style of Cabernet Franc over variations that might be best described as buried in oak. Fjord's 2024 Cabernet Franc is assuredly not that.
Instead, the 2024 Cabernet Franc is well representative of Matthew Spaccarelli's philosophy. The estate-grown grapes are certified sustainable and harvested entirely by hand, with fermentation happening spontaneously with native yeasts in small, open-top tanks of one to two tons. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 14 months, with 30% of the aging happening in stainless steel, and 70% in two-year-old 500-liter puncheons. These are large barrels that add texture without heavily oaking the wine. Finally, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the Cabernet Franc's character.
Quick Facts and Specifications
| Detail | Fjord Vineyards Estate Cabernet Franc 2024 |
| Region/AVA | Hudson River Region, New York |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Grape | 100% Cabernet Franc, estate-grown |
| ABV | 13.1% |
| Vinification | Hand-harvested; spontaneous fermentation in open-top tanks; aged 14 months (30% stainless steel, 70% two-year-old 500L puncheons); unfined and unfiltered |
| Farming | Certified Sustainable |
| Price | $30 |
Tasting Profile and Sensory Breakdown
Here's our take on Fjord Vineyards' 2024 Cabernet Franc after opening the bottle.
Appearance and Aromatics: Dark Berries, Florals, and Earth
Fjord's 2024 Cabernet Franc is perhaps best described as expressive. This is an aromatic wine that announces itself the moment it enters the glass. Off the top of the glass, the wine introduces itself with ripe blackberries and cassis, with dark cherry notes woven throughout. The dark cherry notes penetrate deep into the middle of the glass. Very pleasant. These aromas are framed by fresh floral notes and contrasting threads of dried herbs. Deep into the glass, there are hints of earth and cracked black pepper. In my opinion, this is a bouquet that simply begs to be lingered over, and that rewards a few extra whiffs before the first sip. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Palate, Structure, and Finish: Vibrant Acidity and Fine Tannins
From the bouquet to the palate, the wine morphs considerably, lending this bottle a decent amount of pleasant complexity. I say this because whereas the bouquet relies heavily on dark fruit, the palate is rife with ripe red cherries and pomegranate, and these flavors come right to the fore from the very first sip, and then part over an herbal, earthy foundation. A lively acidity keeps the wine feeling and tasting fresh, while also making this a thoroughly palate-cleansing wine for the dinner table. Tannins, meanwhile, are fine and velvety, giving the wine polish without any harshness,
The wine's finish is lasting and quite savory, with lingering notes of leather and warming spices.
Serving and Decanting Recommendations
I recommend chilling the wine before serving, or at a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees F. If the bottle has been sitting out at room temperature, a good 15 to 20 minutes in the fridge will do the trick.
I mentioned earlier that this wine is unfined and unfiltered, so it's worth mentioning that you should expect some natural sediment. Decanting it for about 20 to 30 minutes will work to leave behind any sediment prior to pouring, while also giving the wine's floral and dark berry aromas a chance to open up.
That said, if you would rather skip decanting, I do recommend pouring gently, while also giving the wine a minute or two to breathe in the glass. In terms of glassware, I recommend wide-bowled glassware such as a Burgundy or a universal red wine glass to show off the aromatics.
Food Pairings
Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc is a very food-friendly wine, making it a great choice for the dinner table. This food-friendliness comes courtesy of the wine's bright acidity, fine tannins, and savory herbal notes - all of which we've covered above.
That said, here are my top recommendations for Fjord Vineyards' 2024 Cabernet Franc:
Herbed Rack of Lamb
A classic match for cabernet franc is an herbed rack of lamb. Bonus points if you've prepared the lamb with rosemary and a garlicy crust. The wine's red fruit balances out the richness of the lamb, while the wine's more earthy notes work to echo the herbs.
Garlic and Herb Stuffed Pork Roast
As a showstopping centerpiece, consider our very own Garlic and Herb Stuffed Pork Roast. This is a juicy, cast-iron roast stuffed with charred garlic, spinach, toasted panko, and Romano cheese, which we've swathed in a golden oregano herb crust. The wine's dried herb and pepper notes mirror the oregano and black pepper in the rub, while its juicy red fruit keeps each savory bite tasting great.
Wild Mushroom Pasta
Pasta prepared with wild mushrooms and fresh thyme beautifully complements the earthy undertones in the wine, creating a simply delicious pairing.
Charcuterie and Artisanal Cheese Pairings
A good Cabernet Franc loves a good charcuterie board, and this bottle is no exception to that rule. I recommend preparing a board prepared with gouda, pepper-crusted salami, cured soppressata, perhaps some ricotta salata or feta, roasted red peppers, and a nice dish of olives. Throw in some crusty bread or crostini for bonus points. The wine's bright acidity will cut right through the salty and fatty cured meats, while beautifully complementing the cheeses.
Why this Wine is Great for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the trickiest meals to pair with wine, as I explained here, due to the holiday's mix of sweet, savory, rich, and tart flavors all occupying one plate. This cabernet Franc beautifully handles all of those qualities. The wine's red berry and pomegranate notes work to complement rather than compete against cranberry sauce, while its herbal side matches dishes like sage stuffing and roasted turkey. Finally, the wine's fresh acidity works to cut through gravy and buttery sides. Finally, the wine's fine tannins and moderate alcohol won't overwhelm lighter white meat the way a heavier red might risk doing.
Verdict and Score
At $30 a bottle, the Fjord Vineyards 2024 offers expressive aromatics, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory finish. This wine is an excellent example of a well-produced Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc, one that thoroughly exemplifies why the region is gaining so much attention of late.
Who Will Love This Wine?
- Anyone who considers themselves a fan of Loire Valley red wines such as Chinon and Saumur-Champigny
- Pinot Noir lovers who might be in the market for a little more depth and spice
- Anyone looking to explore New York's Hudson Valley wineries
- Home cooks looking for food-friendly red wines
Where to Buy
The 2024 Cabernet from Fjord Vineyards costs $30 if purchased directly from the winemaker. You can also taste it at the winery's tasting room in Milton. Some New York wine shops carry the bottle, but production is limited, so availability varies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bouquet features notes of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry set over a bed of floral and herbal essences. On the palate, the wine features ripe red berries and hints of pomegranate, with fine tannins and a long, savory finish.
Yes, a light chill will always help a cool-climate Cabernet Franc. I recommend serving at 60 to 65 degrees F to keep the fruit fresh and the acidity lively.
No, decanting is not required to enjoy the Fjord Vineyards 2024 Cabernet Franc. That said, 20 to 30 minutes in a decanter does help the aromas to open up and ripen, while leaving behind any natural sediment.
And that's our review of the Fjord Vineyards 2024 Cabernet Franc, and our second review for our Francsgiving Feature list. If you enjoyed this wine, or have any questions or suggestions, or tried any of the suggested pairings, be sure to let us know in the comments below; we always love hearing from you.
Cheers!
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