Fermier Cabernet Franc Niigata Echizenhama 2022 750ml [B464]

Crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes in Echizenhama, this refined medium-bodied red wine is a pure expression of Fermier’s coastal sand-dune terroir. Situated just steps from the Sea of Japan, Echizenhama offers well-drained sandy soils and abundant autumn sunshine—ideal conditions that allow earlier-ripening Cabernet Franc to achieve full phenolic maturity while retaining vibrant natural acidity.

Following careful hand-sorting, destemming, and crushing, the grapes undergo a five-day cold soak in stainless steel tanks to gently extract color and aroma before fermenting spontaneously with wild yeasts. The wine is then aged for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels with minimal sulfur dioxide (SO2) additions. Due to the limited vineyard parcel, production is strictly small-batch—often yielding just a single barrel per vintage.

In the glass, it reveals bright aromas of cherry, raspberry, red currant, and violet, layered with subtle herbs, spice, and a distinctive iodine and mineral note imparted by the nearby sea. On the palate, silky, fine-grained tannins characteristic of sandy soils balance refreshing acidity, leading into a transparent, graceful, and lingering finish.

AL: Albariño / CF: Cabernet Franc / CS: Cabernet Sauvignon / Me: Merlot / PV: Petit Verdot / PN: Pinot Noir / PG: Pinot Gris