Cave Dog Napa Valley Merlot Cabernet Franc 2017

Cave Dog Red is a small-production gem from Napa Valley that we love recommending to Cab lovers. Cave Dog Red is an honest-to-goodness Right Bank Bordeaux style from Michael Havens, one of our favorite winemakers and a name that should be instantly recognizable from Havens Winery. This new 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc blend is somewhat of a re-creation of Havens "Borriquot.” Made from the same vineyard as the Borriquot, it has the same intense aromatics and spice box nature, with fresh gingerbread, Bing cherry and dry-cured olive aromatics. Soft and velvety on the palate, with the plush, cassis-driven Merlot fruit adding dimension to the delicately spiced Cabernet Franc. A rock-solid offering that should turn heads with its tension and balance. While all the flavors will expand with bottle age, it is still a round, smooth-textured, delicious, gorgeous wine now.

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