Arrow and Branch proprietors (and Laguna Beach locals) Steve and Seanne Contursi share a great love for the wines of Bordeaux, particularly those produced with a large quantity of Cabernet Franc, such as Château Cheval Blanc. The couple sought out their Coombsville vineyard property with an eye to producing top-quality Cabernet Franc-based wines from Napa Valley. They bought the Arrow and Branch Vineyard in November 2007, as this vineyard was the source of Tony Soter's renowned and highly rated Little Creek Cabernet Franc. The Contursi's have maintained the organic farming and, through their work with the detail-oriented Viticulturalist Mike Wolf, are continually improving this wonderful vineyard site.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96+ POINTS - "The 2018 Right Bank Blend is a blend of 47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, aged for 20 months in French oak, 75% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls effortlessly, seductively out of the glass with gorgeous scents of lavender, lilacs and baked black cherries, leading to a core of kirsch, warm cassis and chocolate box plus a waft of bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate delivers bright, crunchy fruit, supported by fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long, lively and mineral laced. 459 cases were made."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "A beautiful, elegant, nuanced wine from Jennifer Williams, the 2018 Right Bank Blend (47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) gives up a great nose of blackberries, black cherries, violets, cigar wrapper, and cedary herbs. It's medium to full-bodied and pure silk on the palate, with remarkable balance."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96+ POINTS - "The 2018 Right Bank Blend is a blend of 47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, aged for 20 months in French oak, 75% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls effortlessly, seductively out of the glass with gorgeous scents of lavender, lilacs and baked black cherries, leading to a core of kirsch, warm cassis and chocolate box plus a waft of bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate delivers bright, crunchy fruit, supported by fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long, lively and mineral laced. 459 cases were made."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "A beautiful, elegant, nuanced wine from Jennifer Williams, the 2018 Right Bank Blend (47% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) gives up a great nose of blackberries, black cherries, violets, cigar wrapper, and cedary herbs. It's medium to full-bodied and pure silk on the palate, with remarkable balance."
