Cabernet Franc
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused roasted pork loin
✨ Technical Specifications
Fidelitas Cabernet Franc is a stunning expression of Washington State's acclaimed Red Mountain AVA, where winemaker Charlie Hoppes coaxes remarkable depth and power from this classic Bordeaux variety. While Cabernet Franc is historically used as a blending grape, Red Mountain's unique terroir—characterized by intense south-facing sun exposure, sweeping winds, and low-nutrient sandy loam soils—allows the grape to achieve optimal ripeness and stand proudly on its own. The resulting wine departs from the lighter, highly herbaceous styles of the Loire Valley, instead offering a rich, concentrated profile marked by dark cherry, cocoa, and a refined dusting of dried sage and tobacco leaf. Matured carefully in French oak, this wine beautifully balances Red Mountain's signature structural tannins with the grape's natural, vibrant acidity.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is an artisanal winery dedicated to showcasing the distinct terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. True to the Latin meaning of its name—faithfulness—the estate adheres to a philosophy of unwavering fidelity to grape varietal and vineyard character. Sourcing fruit from premier sites such as Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, and the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, the winery utilizes precise small-lot fermentation and focused oak aging. Fidelitas is celebrated for its powerful, structured, and age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds, most notably its acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, and signature Optu Red blend.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc