Notes from the Archivist

"Second Spring"

This release, “Second Spring”, is EXACTLY the kind of wine we want to bring you – a direct collaboration with a small producer we love and admire very much. If you don’t know Frias Family, you’re about to. I first tried Frias a few years ago, and met Manny Frias via Jason Moore. When we started Archival, I chatted with him about the business and threw out the idea of working together last year.

And now, here we are.

Manny Frias Sr. bought 100 acres in 1977 and by 1985 they had planted the first five. Today they tend 13 acres, and also have longstanding sources in Rutherford and Oakville. They’ve been quietly making some of the best wines on Spring Mountain for decades. Today, Manny Frias Jr. and his brother Fernando run the show. With winemaker Todd Heth steering the ship since 2004, their big, blockbuster Cabs always seem to rack up 95-97 points from Jeb and pals. The 2023 vintage being a textbook example. This was already locked and loaded for the big leagues when we got it.

But there was a little room for improvement. Think M3 Competition vs the base M car. Now it’s fully tuned up, torqued, and track ready. While theirs spent 19 months in 50% new French Oak, we felt it needed a little more “oomph”. Another lane paved down the middle to open the palate up to a wider berth of fruit and toast to balance the minerality and tension in the mountain-bred structure. So, Bobby put more new Chiron oak on it, bringing it to 70% new oak and extending it to 24 months.

Just right, we think. Now the dusty black currant and creme de cassis, black raspberries and shaved pencil lead can run free. With wisps of violet, sandlewood and dried herbs guided along a soft bed of toasty oak and fine tannins. And while it’s just a young pup, it shows quite well with some air. It’ll really howl in another year or two, though. And has the ability to go many, many more beyond that.

“Second Spring” signals the coming of an epic collaboration. And you can punch your ticket to entry for less than half what their own $95 Spring Mountain District Cab costs. Like all of our releases, this will go fast – and I encourage you to stockpile your fair share while it’s here.