Famillia Vicente Pearce Cabernet Franc 2022

Familia Vicente Pearce, a small-scale, family-run operation with Buffalo roots that feels more like a shared secret than a commercial winery. While many Argentine Malbecs aim for “bigger is better,” Shawn Pearce and Celia Vicente are chasing something far more soulful in their Azcuénaga Vineyard.

The secret sauce here might be the mini parcel where these vines live, shadowed by a row of eucalyptus-scented Alamos trees. That aromatic signature isn’t just marketing; it’s right there in the glass, woven through a bright, crunchy profile of ripe raspberry and tart cherry. It’s got that classic Cab Franc “savory-meets-fruit” tension—think roasted chipotle pepper and a touch of red licorice—all held together by 12 months in French oak that adds just a whisper of vanilla without ever feeling heavy-handed.

With only 165 cases produced, this is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of bottle. It’s vibrant, medium-bodied, and honestly, it’s exactly the kind of red we want to be drinking with a crusty pizza or anything off a wood-fired grill.