Blue Mountain Vineyard Carbonic Maceration Cabernet Franc
⏳ Drinking Window
Best enjoyed young and fresh, typically within 1–4 years of the vintage release to appreciate its vibrant fruit and carbonic character.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Charcuterie boards, roasted duck, grilled pork chops
✨ Technical Specifications
Kerloo Cellars' exploration of the Walla Walla Valley's cooler microclimates led them to the Blue Mountain Vineyard, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Here, the winery takes a bold, unconventional approach to Cabernet Franc by employing carbonic maceration—a technique traditionally associated with Beaujolais. By fermenting whole clusters in a sealed, carbon-dioxide-rich environment, they coax out exceptionally vibrant, high-toned red fruit and floral aromas while softening the grape's natural pyrazines and structural tannins. This technique highlights the cooler, high-elevation terroir of the Blue Mountain foothills, yielding a fresh, energetic, and highly aromatic expression of Washington Cabernet Franc that challenges traditional regional styles.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2007 by winemaker Ryan Crane in the renowned Walla Walla Valley of Washington State, Kerloo Cellars crafts artisanal, site-expressive wines that celebrate the Pacific Northwest's premier terroirs. Operating with a philosophy centered on minimal intervention, low oak influence, and native fermentations, Crane seeks to showcase the pure, vibrant fruit character of respected vineyard sites across Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley. The winery is particularly acclaimed for its dynamic Rhône-style offerings, notably single-vineyard Syrah and crisp Grenache Rosé, alongside energetic expressions of Tempranillo, Grenache Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc