December 23, 2016 - On pnp this is clearly doing well. Hints of the aged Romano sort of notes that Clark often mentions. Otherwise it's bitter cherry, herbs (sage? rosemary?) and wet stone on the nose. Palate is very lively. Medium tannin, more cherry and it has a savoury depth to it.
With a bit of air, there's also a bit of rubber or petrol coming out in the palate, astonishingly like some Rieslings. The palate alternates between pure fruit and more complex savoury amalgams.
Day 2 it's more of the same. A bit more depth here and there and a bit more astringency here and there.
November 6, 2016 - Consistent with earlier note, and those of others excepting not hot or low acid. Still quite young for a Clark bottle. Will visit again in a year or so.
August 2, 2016 - The wine has low acidity. It smells like alcohol/hot, tobacco and tea. The wine has smooth texture.
July 9, 2015 - Very savoury and film of limestone. Red fruit, little tannin, moderate finish. Medium body. Rosemary appeared on the nose after a little while. Delicious as it is, but based on how Clark makes wine I wonder how this will evolve.
June 7, 2015 - Much improved from my previous bottle 2 years ago.
Nice dry finish. Great QPR.
October 6, 2014 - I enjoyed this bottle of Cabernet Franc made by Clark Smith but I will cellar my 2 last bottles for a few years. I'm curious to see how this will continue to develop.
July 13, 2014 - Quite good, with nicebalance of fruit and earthy notes. Not the level of minerality i recall from the previous bottle. Excellent bottle from Clark.
October 19, 2013 - A charmingly rustic twist on California. Good earth comes out in the moderate complexity. I think it would make an excellent food wine. Paired with apres diner cheeses it was delightful.
June 14, 2013 - Delicious. After a 2.5 hour or so decant, the wine was shining with bright red fruit (cherry?) with some slight jamminess and herbaceousness. No pyrazines to speak of (somewhat sadly), but excellent balance and an excellent breath of minerality. Drink now with a decant or hold for a couple more years to see how this goes.
April 24, 2013 - Light plum and hint of fruit and oak to the nose. Palate is thin but the fruit is there and followed with oak, mild tannins.