This post has been sponsored by Cab Franc Forward and Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+.
When discussing premium wine in New York, all roads eventually lead back to the slopes overlooking Keuka Lake. Most casual wine enthusiasts celebrate the Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area primarily for its world-class Rieslings and deeply aromatic white wines. However, it is nevertheless true that the region's excellent cool-climate reds, anchored by Cabernet Franc, have risen to earn international acclaim - and with good reason.
Today, we're taking a look at one such Cabernet Franc, which comes to us courtesy of the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.
Jump to:
- The Legacy of Dr. Konstantin Frank and Vitis vinifera in New York
- Keuka Lake Microclimate and Slate Soil Terroir
- Quick Facts
- Visuals, Aromatics, and Tasting Profile
- Serving, Aeration, and Cellaring
- Gourmet Food Pairings for Dr. Konstantin Frank Cabernet Franc
- The Ultimate Thanksgiving Companion
- Verdict: Is the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Franc Worth It?
The Legacy of Dr. Konstantin Frank and Vitis vinifera in New York
Dr. Konstantin Frank revolutionized American viticulture in the 1950s. He did so by proving that European Vitis vinifera vines could, in fact, not only endure New York's harsh winter climates, but indeed thrive in those climates. His legacy lives on across four generations of family winemaking and stewardship, founded on a commitment to authenticity, precision, and cool-climate elegance in winemaking - all of which are clearly on display in their 2022 Cabernet Franc.
Keuka Lake Microclimate and Slate Soil Terroir
The winery's vines are grown along the steep, glaciated bluffs of Keuka Lake, allowing them to benefit from the lake's temperature-moderating effects, which protect the grapes from spring frosts while prolonging the autumn ripening window. The soil along the slopes of Keuka Lake is well-draining slate, shale, and clay, which impart a distinct minerality and vibrant acidity into the fruit, which thoroughly mirrors Old World red wines, particularly those of France's Loire Valley, such as Chinon and Bourgueil.
Quick Facts
| Spec Feature | Details |
| Winery | Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery |
| Appellation | Finger Lakes AVA (Keuka Lake), New York |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Cabernet Franc |
| Oak Program | 16 months in French oak barrels |
| Alcohol Content (ABV) | 12.0% |
| Retail Price | $22.99 – $29.99 (750ml) |
Visuals, Aromatics, and Tasting Profile
Visuals and Color
On pouring, the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Frank introduces itself with a deep, luminous ruby red hue, featuring brilliant violet-pink along the outer rim. The wine shows a clear, light-to-medium extraction without heavy opacity, which hints at a lively, palate-friendly weight.
Aromatics
On first whiff, off the top of the glass, the wine greets with lush raspberries and tart berry, with just a hint of dark fruit, perhaps currants, plum, or ripe blackberry. Deeper into the glass, on a second whiff, the aromatics take a decidedly herbal twist, with notes of sage, dried thyme, and a dusting of crushed dried oregano, but with floral undertones and perhaps just a crack of something peppery. The aromatics feature a mineral end note of wet slate or graphite.
Palate
"Bright" is the first word to come to mind on taste. Bright and balanced, and remarkably graceful. The wine features a bright acidity with juicy pomegranate notes, and the tart cherry from the aromatics comes through quite nicely. The tannins are fine-grained, with a gentle texture that is almost syrupy, which works to provide the wine with structure but without any astringency. From there, the wine ends on a clean and lingering finish that leaves behind an herbal quality that I'd say is reminiscent of fresh tobacco leaf, with a hint of oak spice and savory, earthy undertones.
Serving, Aeration, and Cellaring
Serving Temperature
I recommend serving this wine at around 60F to 65F. If served too warm, the acidity in cool-climate red wines can feel overly sharp, while a slight chill will instead highlight the wine's crisp and palate-cleansing nature.
Aeration and Glassware
- Aeration: I recommend decanting for about 20 to 30 minutes prior to serving in order to have the wine's herbal aromas and floral notes blossom fully, while also working to bring the oak spice to the forefront.
- Glassware: A standard broad-bowled red wine glass or a tulip-shaped Pinot Noir or Bordeaux glass will allow the aromas to gather nicely towards the top of the glass.
- Cellaring: This wine can be enjoyed immediately, but its vibrant acidity and gentle oak aging will let this wine age beautifully through 2030-2032.
Gourmet Food Pairings for Dr. Konstantin Frank Cabernet Franc
Poultry and Game
Cool-climate cabernet franc has moderate tannins and bright acidity. As such, it pairs deliciously with poultry without overwhelming the meat.
- Pairing Idea: Herb-roasted whole chicken rubbed with thyme, garlic, and sea salt. Pan-seared duck breast served alongside a sour cherry pan sauce would also be delicious.
Seared or Roasted Red Meat
This wine features a natural oregano essence, as well as peppery notes and slate or graphite undertones. That makes it an ideal counterpart to tender, savory red meat recipes.
- Pairing Idea: Garlic and rosemary-marinated lamb, or herb-crusted leg of lamb, or an herb-roasted rack of lamb would be delicious.
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Companion
Finding a single wine that can harmonize with every quality, flavor, and texture at a traditional Thanksgiving table is always a challenge. I say this because Thanksgiving can be a truly tricky meal to pair with wine, as I explained in my guide here.
Thanksgiving requires a wine that can navigate a variety of contrasting sweet and savory flavors, as well as contrasting rich and creamy textures - often all on one plate. The Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Franc is almost tailor-made for precisely this combination.
Balanced Acidity
Wines that are heavy and high-alcohol will often leave dinner guests feeling weighed down mid-meal. At 12.0% ABV and featuring a crisp natural acidity, this particular bottle cuts right through rich turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, and meaty stuffings, cleansing the palate between bites rather than overwhelming it.
Synergy with Sage, Thyme, and Rosemary
This wine's aromatic profile echoes classic holiday rubs, herb stuffing recipes, and roasted roots almost perfectly, given the wine's dried oregano elements and subtle, dried herbal notes of sage and pepper.
Verdict: Is the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Franc Worth It?
Priced at under 30 dollars per bottle, the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Franc is very much a masterclass in value. I say this because this particular bottle is an excellent expression of cool-climate Cabernet Franc, as well as an ideal showcase of Finger Lakes viticultural history. This wine delivers an Old World finesse at an accessible price. These qualities, in my opinion, make this bottle a staple for autumn entertaining and weeknight gourmet dinners alike.
Where to Buy
This wine is available directly through its official website, as well as at wine retailers across the country. The wine is also, of course, available at the Dr. Konstantin Frank tasting room on Keuka Lake.
And that's our review of the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2022 Cabernet Franc. If you enjoyed this review, 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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