The wine’s aroma is dominated by fresh dark berries, dried meat, and herbs. The texture is silky smooth, with flavor nuances of blackberry, blackcurrant, and blueberry, complemented by a subtle hint of tomato and green pepper. Everything blends into an impressive complexity, leaving a remarkable overall impression of an elegant and delightful red wine.
Cool, pure, and vibrant Californian Cabernet Franc with 93 points from Vinous.
Lieu Dit Winery’s Cabernet Franc stands out with its refined freshness and elegance. The grapes come from vines that the estate itself planted in Happy Canyon, located in the eastern part of Santa Ynez Valley.
Moreover, the wine contains no added sulfur, as the goal has been to achieve the purest possible expression of Cabernet Franc. And they have succeeded—almost to perfection.
The wine’s aroma is dominated by fresh dark berries, dried meat, and herbs. The texture is silky smooth, with flavor nuances of blackberry, blackcurrant, and blueberry, complemented by a subtle hint of tomato and green pepper. Everything blends into an impressive complexity, leaving a remarkable overall impression of an elegant and delightful red wine.
93 POINTS
Vinous
“SUPERB”
The 2021 Cabernet Franc is superb. It offers a compelling mix of fruit intensity and energy, all while staying light on its feet. Nothing in particular stands out because the wine’s balance is absolutely impeccable. Bright red-toned fruit, orange peel, and a touch of spice linger. I love the energy and vibrancy here.
About Lieu Dit Winery
Lieu Dit Winery is an exciting project born from a close friendship between two of California’s most intriguing wine personalities and their shared passion for wines from France’s Loire Valley.
The winery was founded by sommelier and restaurateur Eric Railsback, along with none other than Tyler Winery’s founder, Justin Willett. Their friendship dates back many years, and together they have traveled extensively across Europe, drawing inspiration from its wine culture. A common thread in their journey has been their love for Loire wines, and in 2011, they decided to experiment with these very grape varieties—Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc—on American soil in Santa Barbara County. The region’s climate and soil conditions turned out to be perfect for crafting the wines that both Eric Railsback and Justin Willett aspired to make.
Their goal has been to produce wines with great personality, purity, elegance, and balance. The style is cool yet expressive, with minimal intervention in the cellar to allow the unique characteristics of each grape variety to shine through.
Lieu Dit Winery is synonymous with refined Californian winemaking, and their wines consistently receive high scores and praise from critics, including Robert Parker and especially Vinous.
