2014 Palazzo Cabernet Franc Reserve Napa Valley 750 ml

First made by special request of chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry, Palazzo’s Cabernet Franc is a Napa Valley wine that everyone should know. Robert Parker himself has rhapsodized about it: He called it “a sensational example of Cabernet Franc and certainly one of the finest 100% Cabernet Franc cuvées money can buy from California.”

Deep ruby-red, perfectly silky after eight years in the cellar, the 2014 version walks the tightrope of ripeness and aromatics that is essential to great Cabernet Franc. It’s layered and elegant, with aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and black cherry, dried florals, and a hint of licorice and Darjeeling tea. 

Wine Advocate didn’t score it initially, but Parker himself gave 97+ points to Palazzo’s 2013 Cabernet Franc, and Lisa Perrotti-Brown crowned the 2016 with a sparkling 96-point score. And 2014, if you recall, fell smack-dab in the middle of a spectacular spate of Napa Valley vintages.

This wine owes its whole existence to a phone call from Keller. He had tasted Palazzo’s Right Bank Reserve, but it wasn’t what Keller wanted. Sensing Palazzo’s gift with the grape, Keller wanted him to make a 100% varietal Cabernet Franc for The French Laundry, Per Se, and Bouchon. 

In 2005, Palazzo made and labeled 100 cases specially for Keller’s restaurants. One of Napa’s great Cabernet Francs was born.

We’re as excited about this offer as we’ve been about any, but at this point it’s not our word that’s selling Palazzo. Our members have devoured and been delighted by Scott’s Right Bank and his Cuvée Blanc, and this one is another home run into the upper deck. It’s going to make you stand up and cheer.