Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2019

This wine can be cellared for up to 10 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour before serving.

This is a medium-bodied wine made entirely from Cabernet Franc, exhibiting a fragrant bouquet of red currant, sour cherry, rose petal, vanilla, and violet. The grapes were harvested from estate-owned vineyards in the Osoyoos and Oliver sub-regions of British Columbia.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, the producer, has been established in the region for approximately 25 years. Founder Jim Wyse has taken measures to ensure that their wines are sourced exclusively from their 210-acre estate vineyards. The estate is located just north of the Canadian border, at the northernmost tip of an arid steppe, shaped by ancient glaciers and the imposing shadow of the Cascade mountain range.

Following harvest and fermentation, the grapes underwent 15 months of aging in a carefully selected blend of oak barrels: 85% French, 13% Hungarian, and 2% American. This maturation process has imparted mature, well-rounded tannins and subtle undertones of baking spice to the wine, which can be discovered on the palate. The flavor profile is further enhanced by notes of plum, red fruit, and thyme, along with savory hints of leather, tobacco smoke, and graphite. The finish is long and distinctly savory. Consider pairing this Cabernet Franc with smoky, umami-rich dishes such as braised beef, red lentil dhal, or mushroom risotto.