• Cabernet Franc
• 13.1% abv
• 10 months in steel and neutral French oak
• Maryland Appellation 
• 750 ML
• Descriptors: green bell pepper, juicy red fruit, fresh garden herbs, stone/mineral

Unfined and Unfiltered (Some Sediment in Bottle is Normal)

Visually the 2023 Sandstone is a medium to dark red. The wine was not filtered, but is still clear. There is also little to no sediment in the bottle, due to it having time to settle out while in barrel. It is possible that sediment might develop as the wine ages and more color falls out.

On the nose there is no mistaking that this wine is Cabernet Franc and it screams varietal character with lively energy. The giveaway for Cabernet Franc is an herbal greenness to the wine. Stylistically this is what we are going for with the Sandstone, as it is similar to the style coming out of the Loire Valley in France.  Furthermore, this vintage we decided to age the wine mostly in steel to preserve that freshness! But beyond the bell pepper there is juicy red fruit, specifically cherry, strawberry and cranberry.

Overall the wine remains medium bodied and a juicy, playful tannin.  Compared to previous vintages of this wine, there's a bit more ripeness, alcohol (13.1%) and a tad more body, a product of a very hot and dry growing season. 

It can be drunk now, or aged up to 5 years. As the wine ages the fresh flavors and aromas will evolve into more tertiary flavors.