Stormy Weather 'Wandering Star' Cabernet Franc 2016 750ml

Cameron worked alongside Jayson and Philippe Melka, who consulted for Hundred Acre at the time, starting in 2005. He honed his skills and broke out on his own to make a comparably opulent, hedonistic, high-scoring Cabernet. Maybe you snagged some of his Wolf’s Head Cab last year before it sold out. This is cut from the same cloth. So is his wonderful, hugely popular Port that’s back in the Store today!

For the uninitiated, expect to be bowled over by this. Described in the past as a “jammy fruit bomb” on their own website, it’s a hedonistic thrill ride that always scores big. Serving up piles of ripe blackberry and raspberry jam, crushed violets, sweet pipe tobacco, and exotic wood spice. The finish goes into extra innings, and it’s NOT a shy wine in any sense of the word. Quite the opposite.

Only 7 barrels made!! Go ahead and try to find other similarly scored Napa Cab Francs in this price range (don’t spend too long in that fruitless search).

We rarely get Cab Franc on this level, so please, do yourself a favor and put at least a few in your locker. You’ll thank us later.

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Produced from 100% Cabernet Franc, coming from Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Franc Wandering Star spent 30 months in French oak barrels, 80% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up a pretty floral perfume of red roses and lavender over a core of raspberry pie, wild blueberries and Morello cherries with hints of pencil shavings and forest floor. The full-bodied palate delivers taut, muscular red and blue fruit preserves with a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone, finishing long with impressive elegance and sophistication. 194 cases were made. Drink 2021-2041.