The 12 LI Wines of Christmas: #4 Waters Crest Winery 2004 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc

This post is a part of my 12 Long Island Wines for Christmas series that will run from now until Christmas 2007. See the entire series here.

We're only four wines into my 12 Long Island Wines of Christmas, and we're already including a second cabernet franc? Yes. We are. And, it's one that comes from a smaller, lesser-known producer. One that you might not even know about.

I've long been a fan of Jim Waters' riesling and gewurztraminer, but this 2004 Cabernet Franc Private Reserve blew me away when I first tasted it. Ripe and spicy, it's a wine that should develop even further in coming months (and years). 

Made with 100% free-run juice and aged for 14 months in new French oak, the blackberry nose is complex with layers of black pepper, violets, smoked meat and dusty dark cocoa. Medium bodied, concentrated and a little meaty, the palate offers loads of black fruit and spice as well. Lightly gripping tannins provide just the right structure.