2019 Cabernet Franc

The 2019s from Detert capture all the potential I saw when I tasted them from barrel. Tom Garrett describes 2019 as riper than 2018. The wines are on the opulent side to be sure, and yet it is a style that works so well. Over the last few years, Garrett has really fine-tuned these wines from his family's Oakville vineyard in one of the historic sections of To Kalon. I can't recommend the 2019s enough.

I was blown away by the 2018s and 2019s from Detert. Tom Garrett has done such a stellar job with these wines, especially in recent years. Garrett is a bit shyer than his cousin Graeme MacDonald, so the world may not know that these two vineyards were once one property and share the same lineage as part of the historic To Kalon Vineyard. Over the last few years Garrett has backed off the extractions and lowered the oak imprint, giving his wines more energy and nuance than in the past. Much of the vineyard has been replanted only recently, so there is every reason to expect these wines will only improve in the coming years. A significant portion of fruit goes to the Robert Mondavi Winery, but that may change when the contract is up next year. I am often asked who the next stars are in Napa Valley. Detert is right up there at the very top of the list. Readers will not want to miss these magnificent wines.