This fourth vintage of Merrie Mill Cabernet Franc is aptly timed for some of the most beautiful fall days of the year. This wine is agile and delicate just like the spider on the label. It has a gorgeous fruit core that is layered with soft fine tannins that give it an elegant body. This Cabernet Franc is definitely showing a slightly shorter vintage with fresh clean aromatics, ripened slowly with no sense of rush. Because of the freshness and intensity of this vintage even from the beginning it was put into a more delicate and diverse barrel program of just about 30% two year oak, 30% 3 year oak and 40% neutral oak. While 60% of the oak is relatively new, using the neutral oak barrels adds a more delicate layering to retain freshness and fruit characteristics which continue to lift the wine. This wine is built to age and will continue to develop over the next 15 years.