Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc

Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc is a concentrated yet polished Napa Valley red from the historic, family-owned Ballentine Vineyards. The current 2023 vintage is built around 90% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, then matured for 18 months in French oak, approximately 50% new. Bottled at 15.5% ABV, it combines ripe strawberry, cherry, blackberry, dark plum, cedar, floral notes, spice, and earthy complexity with a broad texture and finely structured tannins.

Process & Profile

Ballentine Vineyards is a multigenerational Napa Valley estate whose family farming history dates to 1905. Today, the family farms approximately 75 acres across three estate vineyards in St. Helena and Calistoga, including plantings of Cabernet Franc at both Betty’s/Fig Tree Vineyard and Pocai Vineyard.

The 2023 Estate Cabernet Franc is composed of approximately 90% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder Petit Verdot and Malbec. Cabernet Franc provides the wine’s aromatic red and black fruit, floral character, and savory complexity, while Cabernet Sauvignon contributes additional structure and depth.

Following fermentation, the wine is matured for 18 months in French oak, with approximately 50% new barrels. This élevage adds cedar, spice, and subtle toasted complexity while allowing the ripe Napa Valley fruit to remain at the center of the wine.

In the glass, the wine is deep ruby and concentrated. The bouquet opens with ripe strawberry, cherry, dark plum, blackberry, boysenberry, and mulberry, accompanied by floral touches of lilac and rose, along with mint, cedar, chocolate, and gentle spice.

The palate is medium-to-full-bodied, rich, and structured, with red and black berry fruit supported by earthy undertones and fine oak. Cherry, blackberry, plum, and dark raspberry develop alongside clove, cedar, spice, and subtle herbal complexity. The texture is broad and mouth-filling, with polished yet persistent tannins providing shape and aging potential.

The finish is long and layered, carrying dark berries, cherry, cedar, spice, earth, and firm tannins. Despite its 15.5% ABV, the 2023 maintains freshness and balance, giving the wine enough energy to support its concentrated fruit and substantial structure.

What makes Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc particularly compelling is its combination of estate-grown Napa Valley fruit, Cabernet Franc-led composition, 18 months of French-oak aging, and limited-production family winemaking. Critic Jeb Dunnuck awarded the 2023 vintage 94 points, praising its red and black berry fruit, cedary herbs, spice, floral character, polished tannins, and excellent length, with potential to evolve over the next decade or more.

Serve at approximately 60–65°F / 16–18°C and consider decanting for 30–60 minutes when young. Ballentine specifically pairs its Cabernet Franc with dishes such as herb-crusted venison with blackberry-red wine reduction, while the wine also works beautifully with lamb, duck, grilled beef, mushrooms, and aged cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc?
It is an estate-grown Napa Valley Cabernet Franc produced by Ballentine Vineyards. The current 2023 vintage is Cabernet Franc-dominant with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

What are the key specs of Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc?
The 2023 vintage is approximately 90% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, matured for 18 months in French oak with roughly 50% new barrels. It is bottled at approximately 15.5% ABV in a 750ml format.

What flavors characterize Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc?
Expect strawberry, cherry, blackberry, dark plum, boysenberry, mulberry, cedar, floral notes, clove, spice, earth, mint, and subtle chocolate, supported by concentrated fruit and structured tannins.

How should you enjoy Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc?
Serve it around 60–65°F / 16–18°C. Young bottles benefit from brief decanting, and the wine pairs especially well with venison, lamb, duck, grilled beef, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Ballentine specifically recommends its Cabernet Franc with herb-crusted venison.

What makes Ballentine Estate Cabernet Franc special?
Its distinction comes from estate-grown Napa Valley fruit, a Cabernet Franc-led Bordeaux blend, substantial French-oak maturation, concentrated 2023 fruit, and Ballentine’s family winegrowing heritage dating to 1905. The 2023 combines Napa richness with floral and savory Cabernet Franc character, polished tannins, and strong cellar potential.