I love the pale, expressive and intensely varietal 2019 Cabernet Franc Lauren's Vineyard, a very complete vintage for this bottling selected from the cooler part of Agrelo. It has great freshness and varietal character and good ripeness at 14.5% alcohol, with fresh herbal notes reminiscent of tobacco leaves, some aromatic herbs and a core of raspberries and some berry notes. The palate has great balance, with refined tannins, great harmony and finesse. 7,872 bottles were filled in August 2021 after one year in barrel.

The 2016 was not really on form the last time I reviewed Casarena's portfolio, so I was expecting a much better 2018 Cabernet Franc Lauren's Vineyard. It matured in new French oak barrels for 12 months. The wine delivered as expected: varietal, herbal and spicy, very tasty and with very fine tannins. They have one plot of 3.5 hectares planted with Cabernet Franc in the coolest part of the estate. The vineyard is balanced, and it shows in the wine. 15,000 bottles produced.

Big and ripe, with concentrated dark cherry, currant and dried blackberry flavors that are supported by firm tannins and acidity. Asian spice and baker's chocolate notes power the finish. Drink now through 2025. 100 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–KM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza / Agrelo Select to Add

The 2015 Cabernet Franc Lauren's Vineyard was also up for tasting even if the previous vintage I had written about in my previous article on Argentina had been the 2012, as they didn't bottle it in 2013 and 2014. Cabernet Franc seems to be gaining momentum in Argentina, and this is a good example of why. Cropped from the cooler part of Agrelo, this has great freshness and varietal character, with fresh herbal notes reminiscent of tobacco leaves, some aromatic herbs and a core of raspberries and some fresh, grapey notes. The palate has great balance, with ultra-refined tannins and great harmony and finesse. Great Cabernet Franc. 12,000 bottles were filled in July 2016.

The nose on the 2012 Cabernet Franc Lauren's Vineyard is nothing short of spectacular. The serious and complex nose has very high-pitched, acute spicy notes, aromas of raspberries, tobacco and also flowers. The palate is sinewy with a fine thread of acidity going through its spine. This is clean, pure and more mineral than the other grapes harvested from this vineyard. Is it possible that Cabernet Franc expresses soil in a more clear focused way? I don't know, but this one does!