20 May Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Steven Kent 2024 Rock Cabernet Franc, Morgensen Family Vineyard, Livermore Valley

Cabernet Franc has long had a champion in the Livermore Valley, and that champion is Steven Mirassou. I’ve written about his dedication to this grape before, but with the 2024 vintage, he took that commitment a step further, exploring how different aging vessels shape the structure and personality of wine. Cabernet Franc was aged in steel, rock, wood, and a combination of the three, and this week the Steven Kent 2024 Rock Cabernet Franc, Morgensen Family Vineyard, Livermore Valley is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Steven Kent Winery

Steven Kent Winery has built a reputation as one of the leading advocates for Cabernet Franc in California, particularly in the Livermore Valley, where the grape thrives in the region’s warm days and cool evenings. He has spent years championing Cabernet Franc as more than just a blending grape, demonstrating its ability to stand on its own as a varietal wine with elegance, structure, and complexity. His work has helped establish Livermore Valley as one of the most important regions for Cabernet Franc in the United States.

Tasting Notes

The 2024 Morgensen Family Vineyard Cabernet Franc is part of Steven Kent’s Elements Series, an experiment designed to explore how different aging vessels influence the structure and character of wine. Four versions were created from the same vineyard and vintage, each aged for 12 months in a different vessel: Steel, Rock, Wood, and Elements (aged in a combination of steel, concrete, and wood). The goal is to understand how much the vessel itself shapes the wine’s texture, structure, and expression without changing the fruit source.

The Rock bottling, aged in concrete, sits in the middle ground. Concrete allows gentle oxygen exchange while preserving freshness, resulting in a wine that balances structure with vibrancy. The Rock Cabernet Franc offers classic Cab Franc aromas of black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum with black tea and mineral notes and a savory edge. The wine is structured with lively acidity and textured tannins.

Food Pairing

Cabernet Franc is a versatile red wine at the table, and this expression was no exception. The balance of fruit, acidity, and savory notes made it a perfect wine for a family dinner of grilled steak, corn, potatoes, and salad. It was enjoyed by everyone at the table who asked for refills until there was nothing left.

Where To Purchase

The Steven Kent Rock Cabernet Franc is available to purchase as part of the Elements 4-Pack. Get one bottle of each aging method (Steel, Rock, Wood, and Elements) for $220 (currently available for $150) and try all four yourself to understand the difference of each aging vessel.

Meet The Winemaker

Meet Steven Mirassou and get to know him in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.

Read a previous story I wrote about Steven Kent Winery: Cabernet Franc Finds Its Champion in Livermore Valley With Steven Kent Winery