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
Fidélitas was founded in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, formerly the head red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Joined by his son Will Hoppes, the winery embodies an unyielding dedication to Bordeaux grape varieties cultivated exclusively within Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Situated on warm, southwest-facing slopes, the region's intense sunlight, fierce winds, poor gravelly loam soils, and profound diurnal temperature fluctuations foster thick-skinned berries with formidable concentration and natural acidity. The estate vineyard, first planted in 2008 and farmed sustainably with Sustainable WA certification, is complemented by premier fruit partnerships with iconic sites such as Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence. Winemaking employs micro-lot fermentations in oak and neutral barrels, yielding structured, deeply expressive wines. The estate's benchmark portfolio is anchored by the flagship Optu Red and Optu White blends, vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons, and varietal Malbecs.
🍇 Grapes
Cabernet Franc