Lang & Reed 2024 Cabernet Franc California 750ml

Lang & Reed made its first Cabernet Franc back in 1993, and more than three decades later, exploring what this grape can genuinely do in California remains the winery's entire reason for being. As the winery's own notes have put it in recent vintages: "our main goal was to explore the distinct charms of Cabernet Franc in California, a goal that remains today." That singular focus, sustained across roughly 30 consecutive vintages, has made Lang & Reed one of the true reference points for anyone curious what Cabernet Franc looks like outside its traditional home in France's Loire Valley.

The California bottling draws on Lang & Reed's long-standing network of hand-selected vineyards across the North Coast — a sourcing approach that's evolved and expanded over the decades as the winery has sought out sites that consistently over-deliver for this specific variety. Recent vintages have leaned on fruit from Quercus Ranch in Lake County's Big Valley (Clone 312), the T-bar-T Ranch in Alexander Valley (Clone 214, originally from the Loire Valley), along with parcels from Mendocino's Talmage region, Lodi, and the Central Coast — with the winery deliberately blending across these sites "with the intention of always seeking a whole that is greater than any of the individual parts." Following fermentation, recent vintages have aged 16 to 17 months in French oak barrels, both new and seasoned, a regime built to add texture and complexity while carefully preserving Cabernet Franc's naturally bright, herbal clarity rather than masking it with heavy oak.

We don't yet have independently published tasting notes specific to the 2024 vintage, so rather than guess or borrow flavor descriptors from a different year, we'll let this bottle speak for itself once it's open. What we can say with real confidence, based on the last several vintages of this exact wine: expect Lang & Reed's signature house style — vibrant red and black fruit (black cherry, raspberry, blackberry), fresh herb and dried-herb complexity (thyme, rosemary, sous bois), a touch of graphite or mineral edge, and the "zippy, herbaceous, and rich" character one recent reviewer called "quintessential California Cabernet Franc," built for real food-pairing versatility and genuine drinkability rather than sheer power.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Lang & Reed crafted its first Cabernet Franc in 1993, and the winery has spent more than three decades since then dedicated specifically to exploring what this variety can achieve across California's varied terroir — a focus that remains the core of the winery's identity today. The California bottling is assembled from a combination of Lang & Reed's historically sourced vineyards along with newer sites added over time, drawing primarily from the North Coast, with fruit historically including Quercus Ranch (Lake County, Big Valley, Clone 312), T-bar-T Ranch (Alexander Valley, Clone 214, a clone originally from the Loire Valley), and additional parcels from Mendocino's Talmage region, the Lodi AVA, and the Central Coast.

Following fermentation, the wine typically ages 16 to 17 months in French oak barrels, both new and seasoned, developing texture and complexity while preserving Cabernet Franc's natural varietal clarity. The winery bottles the California cuvée at 100% Cabernet Franc.

Critics Reviews

No independently published tasting notes or critic reviews are confirmed for the 2024 vintage at this time. For house-style context, recent vintages of this exact wine have received the following coverage:

Wine.com (2023 vintage):
"The 2023 Lang & Reed California Cabernet Franc shows a deep garnet hue with purple highlights. It opens with inviting aromas of aromatic spices, dried earth, and ripe berries. On the palate, the wine is mouthcoating and expressive, delivering flavors of blackberries, savory herbs, and a touch of spice."

WineAccess (2023 vintage):
"This is quintessential California Cabernet Franc. From the pioneers of the grape, it's zippy, herbaceous, and rich, offering a perfect accompaniment to so many types of food... A vibrant ruby hue in the glass. A nose full of inviting notes of steeped hibiscus tea leaves, fresh strawberries, and plenty of holiday spice. An excellent introduction to the complexity and pizzazz of California Cab Franc, with zippy acidity, silky tannins, and a long-lasting finish."

Lang & Reed (official house-style notes, 2022 vintage):
"Autumnal impressions of dried leaves and 'sous bois' are prominent in the aromatics. Fresh forest floor mix with generous black cherry and herb aromas strike a dramatic first impression of this wine. The engaging scents lead into a medium to full-bodied flush of dark fruit, tart cherry, savory flavors that have a fresh texture and that leave a pleasing impression."

Tasting Profile

Specific sensory detail for the 2024 vintage is not yet independently published. The following reflects Lang & Reed's consistent house style across recent vintages of this exact wine.

Nose
Expect vibrant black cherry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit, layered with fresh and dried herb notes — thyme, rosemary, sous bois — and a mineral edge of graphite, consistent with the house style built over three decades of Cabernet Franc focus.

Palate
Medium to full-bodied, with dark fruit and savory herb character carrying real drinkability alongside genuine structure — zippy acidity and silky tannins typical of Lang & Reed's approach.

Finish
A long, food-friendly finish reflecting careful French oak integration, built to preserve Cabernet Franc's natural brightness rather than overwhelm it.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Galbi (Korean-style marinated short ribs)
• Grilled or roasted poultry
• Mushroom-forward dishes
• Charcuterie and aged cheeses