The Thirteenth Vintage and the Only Bottling of this Rare Loire Valley Clone 214 in California
St. Helena, CA, November 6, 2023 – The 2019 ‘Two-Fourteen’ expresses what Lang & Reed Napa Valley believes to be their highest achievement in creating a wine made exclusively from Cabernet Franc. Keenly aware of all things Cabernet Franc, winemaker John Skupny has spent his 30+ years at Lang & Reed researching source material and clonal selections. Originally from the Loire Valley of France, home to the best Cabernet Franc in the world, he encountered Clone 214 in the early 90’s when it first made its way into the vineyards of Napa Valley. The thirteenth ‘Two-Fourteen’ vintage from Block 9 of Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is also the only designated bottling of the rare Clone 214 in California.
The 2019 growing season and harvest provided even-tempered conditions to help create a wine rich with Cabernet Francs best attributes. Aromatically, the wine has an abundance of brambly berry fruits, rose hips, and savory herbs. This is a luscious wine on the palate that shows clarity and tension with an encore of deep berry flavors and complementing hints of dried herbs. The fruit acids and tannins, combined with rich vanilla notes, all come together in a long satisfying finish that maintains the clarity and freshness of this wine.
Seventeen years ago, Skupny found a vineyard located on ideal rocky soils on a beautiful hillside slope in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley. The Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard benefits from moderate temperatures and cooling breezes that emanate from the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay. This new world climate combined with the old world Loire Valley Clone 214 provides the basis for a unique and immensely gratifying presentation of the Cabernet Franc grape.
About Lang & Reed Napa Valley
Located at 1244 Spring St in St Helena, CA, Lang & Reed is one of the few wineries in Napa Valley to specialize in 100% Cabernet Franc and explore the distinct charms of Chenin Blanc. They have long been inspired by and passionate about giving these varieties an opportunity to shine – true to type, pure in flavor. The wine-producing Skupny family has been creating expressive wines that are enjoyable to drink since 1996. Winemaking is a form of storytelling for the Skupny family, and Lang & Reed wines tell a tale of a multi-generational family business and their wonderful wine-filled life together.
Spring House, an historic Victorian that is now home to Lang & Reed’s tasting salon, is right off the hub of St Helena’s Main Street, where Tracey, John, Reed and Megan Skupny offer intimate, appointment-only tastings that allow visitors to get to know the family behind the brand, while they impart their affection for Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. To learn more about Lang & Reed Napa Valley, 2019 ‘Two-Fourteen Cabernet Franc and other upcoming wine releases, visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
