Leah Jorgensen Cellars: Faces of Cab Franc #winepw

I love Cab Franc.  Partly because it has so many ways of expressing itself.  Sometimes it is the elegant lady in a flowing red gown.  Her perfume of violets, spice, and juicy ripe fruit lingers along with her laughter as she glides across the floor to charm a lucky fellow.  Sometimes it gets outdoorsy with the fresh strawberry and green pepper notes of a spring garden.  Although it can be a chameleon you will never mistake it in the glass.  No matter its attire, it is always true to its unique Cab Franciness.

And I think that is why Leah Jorgensen  of Leah Jorgensen Cellars makes Cab Franc.  I have seen Leah transform herself into a gypsy, a pirate princess, Frida Kahlo, and the girl next door.  Just like wine with stellar qualities can be appreciated in many forms, Leah’s thick mane of hair, creamy skin, and unstoppable spirit allow her to be anyone she wants, yet still be Leah.

So when Leah suggested we make Cab Franc 1920’s glam, my flapper toes started tapping.  Lauren of Corkscrew Wine Bar set a scene straight out of a speakeasy complete with jazzy tunes by The Bylines.  Three time Iron Chef winner, Chef Jonathan Hoffman, prepared a retro haute cuisine menu reminiscent of an era when fine dining happened in headbands and heels, no earlier than 8, and in fancy hotel restaurants. Chef Hoffman is a private chef and can make your kitchen do things you have not imagined.

 

1920′ s Menu and Cab Franc Pairings

1st Course

Waldorf Salad, Smoked Trout, Apple Butter 

2015 Blanc de Cabernet Franc ($30)

Yes, Leah Jorgensen Cellars makes a white Cab Franc  The only one I’ve ever heard of.  Who would have expected to attend a winemaker’s dinner in Willamette Valley of all places and have not only Cab Franc but a white one. Chalk it up to Leah’s creativity and the diverse growing region of S. Oregon where she sources her grapes. Made from red Cab Franc grapes that have been pressed off their skins, the wine looks and tastes like a white wine.  I reviewed the 2014 vintage last year and it reminded me of a French style Sauvignon Blanc.  This 2015 tasted of cantaloupe and sweet herbs.

2nd course

Pork Confit, Polenta, Plum Aspic

2015 Leah Jorgensen Cellars Oregon “Tour Rain” Vin Rouge ($25)

Remember the women in the first paragraph who was either in formal wear or garden gloves?  This is her barefoot in a day dress ready for a picnic.  The perfect melding of Cab Franc’s signature hatch chili with floral, blueberry, raspberry, and peppery spice.

3rd course

Mushroom Pate, Beef Consomme, Onion Marmalade

2015 Leah Jorgensen Cellars Cabernet Franc ($25)

Spicy, floral, feminine and sexy to its core.  This and the right outfit and you have a night on the town.

4th course

Venison, Creamed Kale, Root Puree Cranberry, Beet Curd

2014 Leah Jorgensen Cellars “Clos Rogue Valley” Cabernet Franc ($50)

All of the fresh red and blue bramble fruit of youth mixed with experienced aromas of earth and clove.  This dame knows what she is doing and she knows what she wants.  She doesn’t need a man, but if the right one caught her eye, she might give him a tumble.

The event was also an awareness raiser for Growing Gardens, a non profit that builds organic vegetable gardens at homes, schools, and correctional facilities.

For more information on Leah Jorgensen – who she is, why she makes wine, etc see our article Wine Rebels and Control Freaks and visit her website.

And finally let’s see how our #winepw friends celebrated #cabfrancday.  Thanks to Lori Hoyt Budd of Dracaena Wines for hosting this month. #cabfranc #cabfrancday #cabfranclove #leahjorgensencellars #chefstablecb #thebylines #corkscrewpdx #growinggardenspdx

 

• Nancy from PullThatCork  – An Elegant Cabernet Franc Pairing for #WinePW
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla – Apple-Braised Duck Legs + Dracaena’s Cab Franc
• Michelle of RockinRedBlog – Bountiful of Cabernet Franc
• Lori of Dracaena Wines – Cabernet Franc; the Versatile Cab 
• Cindy of Grape Experiences – Wine and Dine: Cabernet Franc and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
• Jeff of FoodWineClick – Cab Franc: Never Say Never
• Gwendolyn of WinePredator – Cabernet Franc Winners With Osso Bucco, Squash Casserole
• Lauren of the SwirlingDervish – Super Fast, Super Good: Sausage and Potato Pan Roast with Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc
• David of CookingChat – Roasted Sirloin Steak with Avocado Sauce for #CabFrancDay
• Wendy of A Day in the Life of on the Farm – A Celebration with Cab Franc
• Martin of enofylzwineblog – A Captivating Cab Franc Paired with Sushi