STW113 CABERNET FRANC 2020 (Red)

The bottle that caught your eye is the STW113 CABERNET FRANC 2020 from SHINSHU TAKAYAMA winery. Made with 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot grown in Nagano Prefecture, this is a medium-bodied, dry red wine with 12% alcohol and a 750ml volume. This 2020 vintage, designated STW113, is part of the Labo. Series, which reinterprets the classic Merlot-Cabernet blend by considering vineyard age and varietal characteristics. It's a red wine that sparks curiosity, intentionally highlighting Cabernet Franc, a grape often relegated to a supporting role.

Placing it alongside the STW112, a different model in the series, makes the intention behind this collection even clearer. While the 112 is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, this 113 is 80% Cabernet Franc. The interesting aspect is how, using the same base ingredients for a classic blend, a completely different wine emerges depending on which grape is chosen as the star. It unfolds into a world of subtle dark purple aromas reminiscent of small cassis berries, layered with a refreshing crispness like young branches, and the delicate scent of wild strawberries revealed as you push through the fresh grass at your feet.

It has a smooth mouthfeel, with pure fruit flavors gliding effortlessly across the palate. You'll feel a growing strength and gentleness, offering a sense of peace like soft, diffused light. You'll want to place this bottle on your table for a quiet evening, to be savored in your own time. This might just be the bottle you feel like opening tonight.