Barboursville Vineyards - 2023 - Cabernet Franc Reserve - 750 ml.

Subregion: Napa Valley

Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve is a thoughtfully crafted single-varietal expression from Virginia’s Monticello AVA. This reserve bottling is oak-aged and built to show both ripe red and black fruit — think strawberries, red plums and cherry — layered with savory Mediterranean herbs, olive/briny notes and a subtle cedar spice from careful maturation. Medium to full in body with a composed, tightly-grained frame of tannin and lifted acidity, it balances ripeness and restraint in a way that suits both immediate drinking and short-term cellar development. Critics have responded well: close to 90-point territory in major reviews, noting tobacco, licorice and mineral accents that add complexity. In 750ml bottles and widely available, it’s a great entry point to Virginia’s top-tier Cabernet Francs and pairs exceptionally with roasted lamb, duck, mushroom-forward dishes and aging-hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or Manchego. This wine is an attractive choice for collectors who want a regional, single-varietal Cabernet Franc that is more than a simple red: it carries Old World savory character shaped by New World ripeness, and the oak influence is present but measured — cedar and sweet spice rather than heavy toast. Serve slightly below ambient room temperature to preserve freshness and accent fruit, or decant briefly if you prefer the oak to integrate sooner. For consumers seeking a refined, terroir-driven American Cabernet Franc with broad food pairing potential and enough structure to gain nuance over the next several years, Barboursville’s Reserve is a compelling pick.