2014 Corison Helios Cabernet Franc Sunbasket Vineyard St. Helena

2014 Corison Helios Cabernet Franc Sunbasket Vineyard St. Helena Napa Valley

Less known than her Cabernet Sauvignon is Cathy Corison’s Cabernet Franc, grown in a vineyard she’s been farming organically for decades and has more recently acquired: Sunbasket. The wine is highly perfumed, supremely floral with a suggestion of beach rose, lily of the valley, anise seed, and tarragon. The palate is light-textured, the tannins finely integrated with scintillant acidity. The flavors read like red cherries and red licorice, with a finishing note of basil, tea, and pine. This wine doesn’t have the stridently herbaceous quality of some Cab Franc. It’s more flower than leaf.

My husband says: “It’s the power of quiet.”

2014 Corison Helios Cabernet Franc Sunbasket Vineyard St. Helena Napa Valley

13.7% ABV | Current release (2019) is $125 (sample)

Disclosure: The winemaker is a friend.

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2 replies on “2014 Corison Helios Cabernet Franc Sunbasket Vineyard St. Helena”
  1. says: David B

    I have a bottle of the 2014…somewhere. It has been misplaced, but I suspect that it will be just fine whenever I finally locate it.

    The 2019 is quite delicious. I broke down and opened one shortly after I acquired it.

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