Bookwalter Suspense Cabernet Franc 2021

VINTAGE NOTES:
Despite a challenging spring with cold spells
sweeping through the Columbia Valley in April, the
2021 vintage produced exceptional fruit, albeit in
fewer clusters. However, a three-week heatwave in June
during the harvest season led to smaller berries and
fewer clusters. Despite this, the fruit maintained
great acidity throughout the remainder of summer,
resulting in concentrated flavors.

WINEMAKING NOTES:
Keeping in mind the importance of balancing the sugar
and acid, the fruit was picked whole berry in late
October using machine harvesting techniques. Optimal
extraction was achieved over a 10–14-day fermentation
period using warmer temperatures (75-85 degrees), and
multiple punch downs daily, and leaving the skins on
the fruit. After fermentation, the wine was drained
from the skins, and aged in French oak barrels for
16 months.