Lieu Dit, Cabernet Franc 'Santa Ynez Valley', 2023 SO013025 Ludes 2023s and cassis—balanced by earthy spice

and cassis—balanced by earthy spice

Impressive in every respect

along with hints of chalky minerality and toasted hazelnut from the lees aging

5 hectares in January 2014

and it delivers his signature elegance from vineyards just outside Pomerol proper

Lieu Dit, Cabernet Franc 'Santa Ynez Valley', 2023 SO013025 Ludes 2023s and cassis—balanced by earthy spiceJustin Willett and Eric Railsback built Lieu Dit around a singular vision: Loire varieties in California. This Cabernet Franc from two distinct vineyard blocksone planted in 1998, one a 2015 massale selectionexpresses Santa Ynezs unique geology of sandy gravel, chert, and serpentine through whole cluster fermentation and French oak aging. Red fruit, black cherry, lavender, earth, and pepper create a wine that tastes both familiar and revelation worthy.