2015 Cabernet Franc – Here And Gone
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada
The second release of Kitten Swish Cabernet Franc is terribly exciting. It remains true to our vision we had with the 2014 vintage, although with some slight enhancements…obviously. David Enns found an older vineyard of about 15 years of age that we moved over too, however, we remained in the warmth of the Osoyoos landscape. While the leanness of the northern lake country is alluring, the power that the south delivers remains enticing.
Whole cluster was utilized again this year with 40% inclusion while the remainder being whole berry. Fermentation took place in a rather pedestrian grey bin (although it’s my pedestrian bin and I love it…well really it’s David’s pedestrian grey bin…but I’m quite fond of it and like to think of it as mine.) with the wine remaining on skins for roughly 45 days. Upon pressing the wine was moved to the same older puncheon (it was new in 2009) we used for our 2014 vintage, thus continuing to stream the ‘Swish spirit from one vintage to another. The wine remained here until bottling in March of 2017.
The 2015 vintage was hot in the valley. Long and hot with heat spikes throughout the year ramping up concentration. There were fires in the south that caused some consternation (especially with using whole cluster and wanting extended skin contact) but thankfully the winds were in our favor and we ended up with clean fruit. With this type of heat I thought we would deliver a wine similar in density to the 2014, but it couldn’t be more different. The wine is paler, with more pronounced tannin and lifted herbal/amaro like aromas. The acidity is bright, playful even, giving a supportive role to the fruit. It is a much slimmer version of Cabernet Franc when compared to our 2014….prettier… and taller.
This year’s label is somewhat existentialist. You are here because you know you are here (thinking I am, right?) but this can change lickety-split…a split from a lick and without notice you’ve totally bit it. Because of this it’s crucial we be aware of ourselves at every given step possible…here and gone…you never know. Such is the case with our robin on the label. She was at once here and then gone. Taking a window for the sky she perished in one instant. At this same split of time I happen to be standing beside her, and as her spirit left, I captured her. Here and gone. This is much like wine. A bottle is opened and in an instant it can disappear. We know that each bottle is unique and no two are the same…when that one bottle is empty, it is truly gone. It is with this release that we celebrate the now. We celebrate the here and wait for the gone with eyes and mouths wide open.
Forty percent whole cluster
Forty-five days on skins
I was once here…but now…I’m gone
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