PLEASE NOTE: This item is three bottles, one each of the 2021 The Debate "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Cabernet Franc, 2021 The Debate "Stagecoach Vineyard" Cabernet Franc, and 2021 The Debate "Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard" Cabernet Franc

We live in an age where less and less time is spent at the dinner table discussing these different points of view. The Debate's mission is to bring people together to share a glass of wine to discuss and debate just as our team does. The Debate includes three perspectives of Napa Valley Cabernet Francs from three outstanding vineyards in Napa Valley: Sleeping Lady, Beckstoffer To Kalon and Stagecoach.

THE DEBATE Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2021

98pts Jeb Dunnuck

The only wine from Williams that's fermented all in barrels, the 2021 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard is another truly sensation wine from this team. Compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon releases, it stays more focused and chiseled, with medium to full-bodied richness as well as sensational levels of purity in its redcurrants, spring flowers, graphite, and forest floor-like aromatics and flavors. As with the other releases from Williams, it has riveting purity, flawless balance, and a gorgeous finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming two decades.

95pts James Suckling

Spicy, dried-herb and white pepper aromas set this wine apart before lively red and black fruit flavors and a firm, elegant texture take over the palate. Black pepper, raspberries, thyme and bay leaf nuances keep you coming back for more sips. Drink or hold.

Color: Dark, yet vibrant eggplant with touches of ruby and scarlet lipstick

On the nose:  Dense and concentrated nose with touches of dark chocolate, blackberry and plum with salt, pepper, beef roast and blackberry jam

On the palate:  Dense yet fresh entrance evolving on an elegant mid-palate with granular tannins and a beautiful blueberry reduction, lingering on granular tannins and violet

THE DEBATE Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2021

99pts Jeb Dunnuck

I considered rating the 2021 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard one point higher, and this is a tour de force that I wish I could pour for every reader. Absolutely classic varietal notes of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and crushed stone-like minerality define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and incredible length on the finish. It's perfectly ripe (not over-ripe or under-ripe), has laser-like precision, and awesome purity. It's a true wow expression of this variety.

96pts James Suckling

A woodsy, leafy, savory quality pervades this full-bodied and silky-textured wine alongside its good black cherry, black olive and oak char character. Rosemary, sage, pine and black pepper nuances keep it fascinating as you sip. Drink or hold.

Color:  Deep, dark black cherry with touchesroyal red and garnet on the rim

On the nose: Explosion of herbs and spices with licorice, soap, strawberry and thyme wit

On the palate: Velvety entrance evolving on a dense mid-palate with notes of herbs and granular tannins lingering on a beautiful structured but integrated finish with notes of plum and red cherry reduction

THE DEBATE Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2021

98pts Jeb Dunnuck

Lastly, the 2021 Cabernet Franc Stagecoach Vineyard comes from block D5 of this larger vineyard on Pritchard Hill. It's another tour de force in Cabernet Franc and has a huge perfume of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries) as well as violets, graphite, spicy oak, and obvious minerality. It's full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, and ripe, building tannins. Count me a huge fan. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it's going to still be going strong at age 20.

96pts Decanter

From Stagecoach Vineyard, directly above Dalla Valle. This is an elegant and lifted Cabernet Franc with ripe dark berry fruits, flashy white pepper, dried sage, and bay laurel notes. Silken cassis fruits evolve into black cherry and spiced plum notes. At the same time, extremely fine and firm cedar-laced tannins build with power and intensity through the lengthy finish marked by mocha, crushed stones, rich earth notes, and orange peel freshness—a citrusy acidity finish layers in freshness and longevity.

94pts James Suckling

The wine is big, broad and ripe, offering robust black cherries, grilled plums and oak spices on a full body backed by firm tannins. A deep and attractive wine that’s tightly concentrated and ready for extended aging. Best from 2029.