Cosentino Winery THE Franc, Lodi, California AVA 2015
$14.99 at Crush Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas
93.5% Cabernet Franc / 3.5% Cabernet Sauvignon / 3% Petite Sirah
Aged 12 months in French and Hungarian oak
Plum, dried herbs, and sweet spice aromas. Black and red fruits and spice on palate. Moderate tannins, lively acidity. Long finish.
Mitch Cosentino founded the Cosentino Wine Company in 1980. He made his initial brand, Crystal Valley Cellars, at Turner Family Winery of Woodbridge in Lodi. Three of his notable wines in the 1980s were The Poet, one of the pioneer Bordeaux-blend meritage wines; a sparkling Blanc de Noir called Robin’s Glow; and a Chardonnay made with grapes grown in Sacramento County.
In 1986 Cosentino bought 4 ½ acres on the west side of Highway 29 in Napa Valley just north of Yountville next to Mustards Grill where he built Cosentino Winery and opened in 1990.
The winery grew quickly over the next two decades reaching 70,000 cases annually – having such a choice location for visitors in Napa Valley certainly helped. It went public around the time when debts mounted and sales staggered. The winery had to declare bankruptcy and closed in 2010. Vintage Wine Estates subsequently bought it and recalled Mitch back as winemaker. He eventually left in 2013 and joined pureCru Wines in the Central Coast. He is also the winemaker for Spellatich Family Wine Co. in Napa.
Cosentino introduced the THE Series in 1990 with THE Zin. Through this series, Mitch wanted to show the best grapes from Lodi AVA.
The Cosentino winery’s winemaker today is Marty Peterson who comes from a family with a rich farming history in Lodi.
