17 Sep Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Joseph Jewell 2023 Elk Prairie Cabernet Franc Humboldt County
When you think of Humboldt County, wine probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind (timber or marijuana might be). Located on California’s rugged North Coast, this region has a cool, coastal climate shaped by the Pacific Ocean. If you do think of wine, Pinot Noir is likely the grape that comes to mind, and winemaker Adrian Manspeaker of Joseph Jewell crafts beautiful examples of it. But Cabernet Franc from Humboldt? That was a pleasant surprise! That is why the Joseph Jewell Cabernet Franc is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.
About Joseph Jewell
Adrian Manspeaker was born and raised in Humboldt County. With a background in construction, he eventually settled in Sonoma, where he discovered a passion for wine. What began as a garage winemaking project evolved into Joseph Jewell, the boutique label where he focuses on small-lot Pinot Noir, sourcing fruit from independently owned vineyards in both Sonoma and his native Humboldt County.
Adrian’s journey back to Humboldt began in 2013, when he visited Alderpoint Vineyard, a 2-acre site planted in 1992. Perched 500 feet above the middle fork of the Eel River, the vineyard has shale-like soils and experiences warm days with a dramatic 40- to 50-degree diurnal shift in summer, along with cool afternoon breezes. Today, he works with multiple vineyards across Humboldt County, including Elk Prairie Vineyard, a 6-acre vineyard that sits on a steep hillside at an elevation of 1,200 feet. Planted in 1992, Elk Prairie Vineyard is just off the Eel River Valley, one ridge away from the Pacific Ocean. The Eel River has the tallest Redwood trees and lots of fog. It is so close to the coast and cold that it is ideal for Pinot Noir. But, in 1995, half an acre of Cabernet Franc was also planted there.
Tasting Notes
The Cabernet Franc planted at Elk Prairie Vineyard ripens very late. For years, it was so late to ripen that the birds got to it before Adrian could pick it. But he netted the vineyard, and in 2023, he got fruit. The Cabernet Franc ripens phenolically but barely ripens sugar-wise. As a result, the grapes are picked and treated gently like Pinot Noir. The grapes are fermented cool with less extraction and aged for eleven months in neutral French oak. The result is a wine that is only 12.2% alcohol. It is a vibrant purple color with bright floral aromas, with fruit and light herbaceous notes. Unlike many Cabernet Francs, this one has fewer green pyrazine notes. The wine is medium-bodied and structured with present tannins and a long finish.
Food Pairing
Cabernet Franc offers acidity, as well as herbal and spicy notes. It is not high in alcohol or tannin. This makes it a versatile wine for food pairing, ranging from dishes with tomato sauce, herbs, and spice to Middle Eastern, African, and Indian dishes. The Joseph Jewell Cabernet France is medium-bodied with fresh acidity and was enjoyed with some brie and crackers, and then paired beautifully with a grilled steak with rosemary, sweet corn, and asparagus.
Where To Purchase
The Joseph Jewell 2023 Elk Prairie Cabernet Franc Humboldt County retails for $40 and can be purchased directly at Joseph Jewell.
Meet The Winemaker
Meet Adrian Manspeaker and get to know him in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.
Learn more about Joseph Jewell and the Humboldt County Pinot Noirs in the story I wrote for the Napa Valley Register.
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