Cuchillo de Palo Casa de Herrero Cabernet Franc 2022
We have 12 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Sourced from the coastal edge of Chile’s Maule Valley, this Cabernet Franc comes from dry-farmed vines rooted in decomposed granite with patches of clay. The vineyards sit at moderate elevation, where ocean-influenced nights preserve acidity and extend the growing season. The region’s Mediterranean climate—sunlit days, cool evenings, and minimal rainfall—produces structured, vibrant reds with restrained alcohol and firm natural balance. Maule’s old-vine, unirrigated sites continue to be a wellspring for fresh, terroir-driven wines with minimal intervention.
The Wine
A powerful blend of 96% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, this 2022 vintage was fermented with native yeasts and aged in neutral barrels to preserve varietal purity. Fully destemmed, with a short cold soak and gentle extraction during fermentation, it offers a lean, focused profile: red currant, dried herbs, graphite, and a touch of green spice. Alcohol sits at 13.5%, with fine tannins and a linear acidity that carries through the finish. No new oak, no filtration—just a clean, transparent take on the variety. This is Cabernet Franc in a fresh, Loire-inspired mold, with Chilean intensity and lift.
The People
Cuchillo de Palo is the personal project of Rodrigo Romero, a winemaker focused on low-intervention wines that reflect site over style. Working with small growers in Maule, Romero sources from heritage vineyards often overlooked by larger producers. His hands-off approach—native ferments, neutral aging, no fining or filtering—prioritizes clarity of place. The label “Casa de Herrero” nods to the Spanish proverb about the blacksmith’s house lacking a proper knife—a quiet acknowledgment of craft over show.
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Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most celebrated wine region, tucked into the foothills of the Andes in the country’s west. Sun-drenched days, cool mountain nights, and mineral-rich soils create ideal conditions for robust yet balanced wines. Although Malbec is the star here—yielding lush dark fruit and refined tannins—varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontés also thrive. With each sub-region (from Luján de Cuyo to the Uco Valley) bringing its own distinct personality, Mendoza offers a vibrant tapestry of high-altitude vineyards that continue to elevate Argentine wine on the global stage.
Argentina - Mendoza
Cabernet Franc is a black-skinned grape variety primarily known for its contribution to the complex, savory bouquets of Bordeaux blends, and it thrives as a varietal wine in the Loire Valley, France. It often presents a lighter body with floral and herbaceous notes, complemented by a distinctively crisp acidity and a texture that speaks to its Loire Valley terroir, where the moderate climate and diverse soils amplify its elegance and aromatic complexity.
Cabernet Franc
Practicing Organic vineyard farming involves growing grapes using organic methods—avoiding synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides—but without formal certification. Wineries adopting this approach prioritize environmental health, soil vitality, and biodiversity, using natural practices such as composting, cover cropping, and manual pest control. Many small wineries opt for practicing organic methods rather than pursuing official organic certification, primarily due to the significant cost, paperwork, and time commitment involved in certification processes. As a result, practicing organic is a popular choice among boutique and artisanal producers who remain committed to sustainable agriculture while managing budgetary constraints.
