Buckel Family Wine Cabernet Franc, Colorado

Fresh Bing cherry, red plum, and ripe strawberry lead the 2022 Buckel Family Wine Cabernet Franc, with cassis, orange peel, allspice, and savory notes adding depth to its distinctly Colorado expression. Sourced from Palisade on Colorado's Western Slope, the wine combines generous fruit with Cabernet Franc's naturally herbal character and a firm, leathery tannic structure. Its balance of ripeness and savory detail reflects founders Joe and Shamai Buckel's commitment to Colorado-grown fruit, small-production winemaking, and a minimal-intervention approach designed to preserve the character of each vineyard and season.

Product Details:

• Founders & Owners: Joe and Shamai Buckel
• Winemaker: Joe Buckel
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
• Fruit Source: Palisade Vineyard
• Alcohol: 13.5%

Sensory Description:

Earthy and expressive on the nose, with fresh Bing cherry, red plum, and ripe strawberry joined by orange peel and a floral note of marigold. The palate moves toward darker fruit, bringing dark cherry and cassis together with allspice and savory black olive. Cabernet Franc's herbal character provides further complexity, while firm, leathery tannins shape the finish and give the wine a structured counterpoint to its generous fruit.

Awards & Accolades:

• Wine Enthusiast: 91 Points

Winemaker's Background:

Buckel Family Wine was founded in 2017 by Joe and Shamai Buckel to produce wines that express the distinctive growing conditions of Colorado. Based in Gunnison, the family-owned winery sources grapes from small farms across Colorado's Western Slope, working with growers whose farming practices support soil, vine, and environmental health. Joe Buckel leads the winemaking and personally evaluates the vineyards from which the winery sources fruit, applying a minimal-intervention philosophy intended to preserve varietal and site character rather than obscure it through excessive cellar manipulation. The winery's Cabernet Franc comes from Palisade, where Colorado's high-elevation growing conditions, abundant sunshine and pronounced shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures provide a distinctive setting for the variety. Across its portfolio, Buckel emphasizes small-batch production, Colorado-grown fruit and wines that balance regional character with freshness and restrained handling.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 55-65°F in a medium-to-large red wine glass, with a period of decanting helping the fruit, savory aromatics and tannic structure open fully. Wine Enthusiast specifically recommends grilled ribeye, while the wine's combination of dark fruit, herbal character and structured tannins also makes it a natural partner for roasted vegetables, pork tenderloin and mushroom risotto.