The 2012 growing season was our first in Washington, and we were lucky in getting a perfect year. A relatively mild winter followed by some spring rains resulted in nature doing most of the crop thinning for us by setting a reasonable crop size. A couple of the usual hot spells moved maturity forward without straining the vines. Harvest started in mid-September and wrapped up before the end of October.

The 2012 Mullan Road Cellars Cabernet Franc comes entirely from the Walla Walla Valley appellation, specifically two rows half way up the hill in the famed Seven Hills Vineyard. Nicely balanced and showing typically cabernet franc tea like characteristics, the wine is drinking beautifully now. Our Cabernet Franc should continue to age over the next 3-5 years and will add complexity and depth in flavors and aromas.