Lieu Dit, Cabernet Franc 'Santa Ynez Valley', 2023 SO013025 Ludes 2023s this bottle politely disagrees

this bottle politely disagrees

Impressive in every respect

and cassis—balanced by earthy spice

Packs a subtle complexity from a mix of some 25 botanicals and herbs

and it delivers his signature elegance from vineyards just outside Pomerol proper

Lieu Dit, Cabernet Franc 'Santa Ynez Valley', 2023 SO013025 Ludes 2023s this bottle politely disagreesJustin Willett and Eric Railsback built Lieu Dit around a singular vision: Loire varieties in California. This Cabernet Franc from two distinct vineyard blocksone planted in 1998, one a 2015 massale selectionexpresses Santa Ynezs unique geology of sandy gravel, chert, and serpentine through whole cluster fermentation and French oak aging. Red fruit, black cherry, lavender, earth, and pepper create a wine that tastes both familiar and revelation worthy.