You can add Cabernet Franc to the splendor of Colorado. At home in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is mainly a blending grape but, grown in Colorado soil, it takes on a life of its own. The coarse, gravelly vineyard for the 2005 S. Rhodes Cabernet Franc is located on the south bank of the Colorado River just east of Palisade. Though you will find no grand chateaux here, there are some interesting similarities to Bordeaux. In Bordeaux, the cherished axiom is the best wines grow in sight of the water - similar to the Palisade site. The best vineyards of Bordeaux grow where the gravel is deepest - ditto for Colorado. As the Médoc was largely a swamp until it was drained to produce usable land for vineyards, so too has this Palisade vineyard been engineered to allow for adequate drainage so vital for healthy vines.
In the caring hands of one of Colorado's best winemakers, Stephen Rhodes' 2005 Cabernet Franc beautifully expresses the delicate floral nuances of the varietal as well as the more intense flavors of black cherry and spicy cocoa. The four years of age has given a proper mellow tone that can only come with maturity. This is a splendid and satisfying red wine - good for all occasions and honestly half the price of a comparable quality wine from Bordeaux. Any cut of beef would be superb along side a bottle. Colorado seems to have an especially good climate for Cabernet Franc. Pop a cork on this one and see for yourself!