Region
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
A standout single-varietal expression from Painted Rock Estate Winery, this Cabernet Franc showcases the elegance, complexity, and age-worthy character of fruit grown on the renowned Skaha Bench in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Carefully crafted in small lots, this wine reflects the winery’s commitment to precision viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking.
Tasting Notes
Rich and expressive, this Cabernet Franc opens with inviting aromas of black cherry, dark currant, violet, tobacco leaf, and espresso, layered with subtle notes of cedar, cocoa, and baking spice.
The palate is concentrated yet refined, delivering ripe dark berry fruit alongside savory herbal undertones and beautifully integrated oak. Firm, polished tannins and vibrant acidity create structure and balance.
The finish is long and lingering, marked by spice, dark chocolate, and mineral complexity.
Alcohol: 14.3%
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Aromas
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Black cherry
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Dark currant
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Violet
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Tobacco leaf
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Espresso
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Cedar and cocoa
Palate
Finish
Long, elegant, and persistent with lingering notes of dark chocolate, spice, and mineral tension.
Winemaking Notes
This Cabernet Franc is produced from carefully selected Skaha Bench vineyard blocks known for their warmth and diurnal temperature shifts, which help preserve freshness while achieving full phenolic ripeness.
Fermentation is carried out with a focus on extracting balanced tannin structure and aromatic depth. The wine is then aged in French oak to build complexity while maintaining varietal purity and precision.
The result is a wine that balances power with finesse, designed for both near-term enjoyment and long-term cellaring.
Ideal Pairings
Herb-crusted rack of lamb
Steak frites or grilled ribeye
Beef tenderloin with wild mushroom sauce
Duck breast with cherry reduction
Aged cheddar, Gruyère, or Comté
Winery Significance
Painted Rock Estate Winery is recognized as one of the benchmark producers in the Okanagan Valley, celebrated for small-lot wines that express the distinct character of the Skaha Bench.
Their Cabernet Franc has become one of the estate’s most admired wines, known for its balance of structure, elegance, and aging potential. It consistently reflects the winery’s focus on precision farming and site expression.
The Skaha Bench is one of the most respected sub-appellations in the Okanagan Valley, known for its rocky soils, warm daytime temperatures, and cooling lake influence—ideal conditions for structured, expressive reds like Cabernet Franc.
Why We Love It
This Cabernet Franc captures the essence of serious Okanagan red wine—structured yet refined, powerful yet elegant. It delivers depth and complexity without losing freshness, making it equally rewarding now or after several years of cellaring.
A true benchmark expression from Painted Rock, it represents the best of British Columbia’s modern fine wine movement.
READ ABOUT PAINTED ROCK ESTATE WINERY
