Bocanada Cabernet Franc

I fell in love with Cabernet Franc while spending time in the Loire Valley years ago. If you have tasted a Chinon or Saumur-Champigny, bright red fruit, savory herbs, leaner style comes to mind. This example from Argentina is the opposite of that - it’s richer, fuller bodied, higher alcohol and tannins due to its climatic and soil conditions as well as oak ageing.

Freedom of expression, low intervention enology, ones that break the rules, terroir driven wines make my blood sing. Where can I find such a thing? At the foothills of the Andes Mountains you will find Bocanada Wines.

“From an unexpected madness, we found a breath of inspiration.”

Argentinian winemakers are knows as experimental, modern thinking and think outside the box. Leandro Boullaude from Uco Valley is a prime example. A 5th generation winemaker of the famed Citon family who are amongst the pioneers of Mendoza viticulture, was trained both home turf Mendoza and abroad in Spain. He is a garagiste of the truest form. His wines embody everything that he represents, his soul. High trellis vines rocky granite and calcareous soils at 1,300 meters altitude from Gualtallary within Tupungato of northern Uco Valley, Mendoza. These are steep slopes my friends at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Gualtallary produces distinctive wines not only from Mendoza's signature grape variety of Malbec, but also from Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.Hand harvest goes without saying for these wines. Cabernet Franc thrives in Argentina’s cooler high-altitude vineyards across the country, especially along the Andes.

Fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats followed by 12 months ageing in 1 year old French oak barrels.

𝐵𝑜𝒸𝒶𝓃𝒶𝒹𝒶 𝒞𝒶𝒷𝑒𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓉 𝐹𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒸 𝟤𝟢𝟣𝟪

Rich ruby color with bright aromas perfectly ripe red and black fruit, crushed gravel and delicate oak. A generous mouthfeel of velvet tannins balanced with bright acidity.  The palate has the ultimate dusty red cherry, figs, blackberry, savory milk chocolate, baking spice and earthy minerality with an undertone of the signature herbal Cabernet Franc character with soft and exact elegance.

Pair with a rich beef and root vegetable stew.