{"title":"Vinum Cellars","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"vinum-cellars-the-scrapper","title":"Vinum Cellars The Scrapper","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinum Cellars The Scrapper Cabernet Franc\u003c\/strong\u003e is a full-bodied, 100% Cabernet Franc from El Dorado County, California, bottled at 14.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 93 points and an Editor's Choice designation from \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e, and multiple vintages have scored 90 or above from Robert Parker and \u003cem\u003eThe Tasting Panel\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, California  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc  |  Winery: Vinum Cellars (Richard Bruno \u0026amp; Chris Condos)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVinum Cellars is the collaboration of winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos. The Scrapper draws its fruit from the Van Huen Vineyard, a head-trained hillside site at roughly 1,600 feet elevation in California's Sierra Foothills, farmed using organic practices though not certified. The vines are 25-plus years old and low-yielding, producing only around 500 cases per vintage. After harvest, the wine ages 26 to 28 months in French oak barrels, building the structured, layered profile the bottling is known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with concentrated dark fruits — ripe huckleberry, black cherry, and blueberry — followed by peppery spice and floral hints of violet. Deeper layers reveal cinnamon, cedar, and a subtle cigar-box character from extended French oak aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is dense and fruit-forward, with juicy blackberry, cassis, and plum flavors filling the mid-palate. As it develops, savory notes of dark chocolate, mocha, and leather emerge alongside fine-grained tannins. The structure is grippy but balanced, with enough ripe fruit concentration to keep everything in proportion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and dry, with lingering coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and a trace of green pepper that adds lift. The tannins carry through cleanly, leaving a savory impression that invites the next sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink The Scrapper\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a wine built for the table. Serve it at cellar temperature (around 60–65°F) in a large-bowled glass; decanting for 30 to 45 minutes will soften the tannins and open the aromatic layers. A splash of air transforms The Scrapper from tightly wound to generous. While primarily a food wine, it stands confidently on its own for those who enjoy structured, dry reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a red-wine lover who appreciates under-the-radar California varietals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a weekend steak dinner or braised short ribs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding depth to a curated tasting flight of single-varietal Cabernet Francs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring three to seven years to explore how the tannins evolve\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does The Scrapper taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Scrapper delivers bold black cherry, cassis, and blueberry fruit layered with savory dark chocolate, leather, and coffee, all framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and a long, dry finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does The Scrapper compare to Bordeaux Right Bank Cabernet Franc?\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic Right Bank Cabernet Francs — such as those from Saint-Émilion — tend toward earthy, herbal profiles at moderate alcohol levels, while The Scrapper leans into riper, darker fruit with higher concentration and a bolder 14.9% ABV reflecting its Sierra Foothills terroir. Both share the varietal's signature violet and pepper aromatics, but The Scrapper's 26–28 months in French oak gives it a more overtly structured, New World character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs The Scrapper good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the wine's density and layered complexity reward slow, contemplative drinking, especially after 30 minutes of decanting to let the tannins relax and the aromatic range expand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is The Scrapper made?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Scrapper is produced by Vinum Cellars from fruit grown at the Van Huen Vineyard in El Dorado County, a sub-region of California's Sierra Foothills AVA situated at approximately 1,600 feet elevation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with The Scrapper?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb chops highlight the wine's peppery aromatics. Braised short ribs or beef bourguignon match its tannic structure and savory chocolate notes. Hard aged cheeses like Comté or Manchego complement the mocha undertones. Roasted root vegetables with herbs echo the wine's earthy, spiced character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does The Scrapper come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Scrapper is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs The Scrapper worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e With only around 500 cases produced per vintage and consistent critical scores above 90 points, The Scrapper positions itself as a premium small-production Cabernet Franc that delivers concentration and complexity competitive with wines at significantly higher price points.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy The Scrapper?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinding a 100% varietal Cabernet Franc of this quality from California remains uncommon; most domestic versions appear as blending components rather than solo performers. The Scrapper's combination of old-vine fruit from a single organically farmed hillside vineyard, extended French oak aging, and micro-production of roughly 500 cases creates a wine with genuine scarcity and character. A 93-point Editor's Choice from \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e and repeated 90-plus scores across vintages confirm that this is not a novelty bottling but a serious expression of what El Dorado County Cabernet Franc can achieve. For drinkers looking beyond the usual Napa and Sonoma labels, The Scrapper makes a compelling case for the Sierra Foothills.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinum Cellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837396152489,"sku":"26090","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Vinum-Cellars-The-Scrapper__43826.jpg?v=1730480897"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/vinum-cellars.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}