Last May I was up in the Finger Lakes and had a wonderful tasting at Weis Vineyards and come home with about a case of wine. One of those bottles was the 2021 Weis Cabernet Franc. I opened it the other night to pair with a steak dinner, and boy was it a pairing!
Let me paint the picture. On the plate were grilled teres major, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach made from fresh spinach from the garden, and homemade popovers. And this Cabernet Franc fit right into that dinner like it belonged there all along.
The wine poured a beautiful garnet color into the glass. The aromas were just what I expected: notes of cherry and just a hint of cranberry. On the palate, the wine showed lovely expressions of raspberry and cherry with a soft spice note that lingered gently on the finish. I love that spice ending!
What I really enjoyed about this wine was its balance. It had enough freshness and acidity to keep things lively at the table, but enough softness to make it incredibly easy to drink. Cabernet Franc can sometimes lean a little too herbal or too aggressive, depending on where it’s grown, but this one found a really nice middle ground. It was food friendly, approachable, and honestly just delicious. That is what I like about New York Cabernet Franc.
And let’s talk value for a second. Retailing around $30, this is one of those wines that delivers far above its price point. It feels special without requiring a special occasion. I would say a good weekend wine.
Weis Vineyards is founded by Hans Peter Weis and his wife Ashlee, the winery beautifully blends German winemaking tradition with Finger Lakes terroir. Hans Peter grew up in Zell Mosel, Germany, working in his family’s winery before eventually making his way to New York. After spending time in California, he found himself drawn to the Finger Lakes because of its cool climate and mineral-driven soils, which reminded him of home.
Cabernet Franc thrives in cooler climates, and the Finger Lakes and New York in general has quietly become one of the best places in the United States for the grape.
This bottle reminded me why I love Cabernet Franc so much. It’s versatile, food friendly, and when done right, it has this wonderful way of feeling both rustic and refined at the same time.
And honestly? With grilled steak, garden spinach, homemade popovers, and a glass of Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc on the table, it was a pretty great dinner.
