Rudd Crossroads 2022 Cabernet Franc, Oakville, Napa Valley

The 2022 vintage of Crossroads Cabernet Franc from Rudd unfurls with urgency and precision. Aromatics burst with dried red currant, tart cranberry, and acid‑driven black cherries, threaded through warm cedar, a hint of anise, and a gentle whisper of dark cocoa. It’s vivid without being flamboyant. 

That fruit generosity carries into a plush mid-palate, where black plum and mission fig emerge with ripeness, only to be pulled taut by a savory thread of black olive and licorice root. Tannins are smooth and integrated—you feel structure, not grip—allowing the wine to breathe without losing its form. 

This bottle speaks of its vintage and site. Oakville’s growing season stretched vintage conditions—heat held at the right moment, fruit ripened fully, but never lost freshness. Organic whole‑estate fruit, paired with gentle use of new oak, delivers a Cabernet Franc that commands attention with restrained eloquence. 

The barrel choices underscore that intention—just 22% new French oak, keeping the fruit in the spotlight, while terracotta amphora play a texture‑softening role. The outcome is a Cabernet Franc that feels generous yet thoughtful—a balance of richness and structure. 

This isn’t a wine dressed to impress. It’s built to engage—sip by sip—showing how a well-made Oakville Cabernet Franc can bring depth, nuance, and poise to evening conversations, not loud entrances.