Decanted for an hour plus. Color was deep, dark purple, almost inky. No amber around the edges. Consumed over two hours. Nose of dark fruit, floral, violets, mint, earth, cola, wood and just a hint of menthol. Medium density and mouth feel; cherry, tobacco, malt, vanilla, blackberry and clove. Long "tame," exquisite, smooth finish with just enough tart fruit to remind us of its' age. Sure, not as bold and complex as some of their premium wines, but Freemark Abbey turns out excellent wines at every price point. This wine is ready to drink and enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Liked this better the last time we drank it. This time, nothing to write home about. Smooth, but not worth holding on to. It's wine. Drink at your convenience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cool, non-descript red fruit, vanilla and a little licorice on the nose. Sweet tannins out of the bottle that mellowed as the night went on. Has some years left in it yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright ruby color in the glass. Full of robust fruit on the palate but not as layered or complex as most vintages of this long time favorite. However, this is drinking very well right now. I this this is typical of the '08 vintage which while not very complex, is drinking well early.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Corvined the first glass and the next day finished the rest. It needed to breathe for at least an hour to smooth out. It was a good cab, but not as bold /fruity as those that score higher. Ending was medium but easy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep red center, red/purple rim with no signs of age. Chalk, lean black cherries, black currant in the distance, rubbed rosemary, a little dusty. Smooth and restrained, raspberries and red currants, good tannins, nice fruity finish. Drinking well now, but will last 5 more years at least and maybe improve a little on the way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, youthful and tannic. Still pretty tight after 1 hour decant. 4 hours later very smooth. Argues for a few more years of sleep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From memory. Deep center with red rim, cassis and bramble nose, good length of fruit, structure, reasonable length. Drinking okay now, but might improve over the next two years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Darker fruited, some chocolate, slight minty, eucalyptus note, moderate acidity and light/medium tannin. Solid. I will drink my last bottle within the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Followed over about 4 hours open. Standard dark ruby color, clear and medium speed legs, no sediment present. Pure currant-driven nose showing excellent typicity, background vanilla and tobacco, with average intensity overall. Ripe and fleshy palate, good structure and really smoothed out after the first hour. Extended finish with some pretty vapors lingering in the olfactory tubes. Would be a nice $14-$16 house by-the-glass wine. Should perform well for a few more years, at least. 4+11+16+8 = 89
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
May be it needs more breathing time, my bottle was pretty ordinary - on the good side. It did not have the wow factor. Fruit driven with no tobacco scent - which I was hoping for. A bit too powerful and feel very much like Aussie's.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pleasantly surprised. Yes it's mostly just a fruit forward Cab with hints of Merlot, but it is well made, smooth and has a few interesting notes of vanilla and cedar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured, it was reticent and reserved, but after one hour it really opened up and gained some complexity. Dark cherry and cassis, cedar and some vanilla oak. Good value, agree with most other tasters that this wine needs some air time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Typical fruit-forward Napa cab that blends in with most others in this price range. Good fruit and controlled oak, improved a bit when opened for an hour or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 2 hours New Years Eve 2012. Excellent Cab. Almost as good as the 2007 I had at TIARI Deux. On the nose was Oak, dark sweet fruit, plum, and cocoa. The pallet was nicely complex with more dark sweet fruit, plum, and clove. Excellent finish that lingers. I will pick up a couple to cellar for a few years. This is my favorite Cali Cab in this price range (solid 92 points)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank this a couple nights ago. I don't remember much about it except that it was red fruited, varietally correct, and enjoyable. Not a blockbuster or long term ager, but pretty solid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aerated this for about 30 minutes, one of our first favourite Napa Cabs going back to the 1999 vintage, this does not disappoint and was VERY tasty and enjoyable indeed - Dark, full bodied with nose of blackfruit, cedar, mocha, plum and vanilla, very well structured and balanced, interesting, sweet, yet tannic on the palate with a finish that goes on forever, well done!! (92 Points).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep garnet color with a sweet, black fruit nose. Black cherries and black berries are a bit too sweet with significant tannins that should resolve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Interesting full bodied offering from Freemark Abbey. Deep indigo in color. Raspberry, dark cherry, mint, clove and cinnamon on the palate. Interesting evolution as this started out very tannic, opened quickly to reveal mouth filling fruit and spice and then began to close up again after an hour. I know this is a blend from Freemark properties but this was the first vintage of the Napa Cab where the mint and eucalyptus from the Bosche vineyard was so apparent. Drinking really well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted several bottles @ Bohanan's, all consistent. Harsh tannins initially that seemed to soften even with a short decant. Not very memorable or much else to say.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright ruby red with a bubblegum, cedar, alcohol and sweet red fruit nose. 2 hour decant. Black cherry predominates with some lighter red cherry highlights, raisin, cranberry and chocolate. Tannins show trademark Napa dry, dusty earth. This should improve. Est. 2014-2018.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very worthy successor to the fabulous 2007, I was pleasantly surprised to prefer the '08...the aromatic impact of Bosche is obvious in the mix, as the coconut, euch, and blue fruits all come dancing at full steam. Nicely balanced and tasty now, will only improve over time. Anything better or more interesting (or more ageable) in Napa at this sub-$50 pricepoint? Don't think so...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/17/2022 - Dave124 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruit. Minimal tannins but still present. Enjoyable. Still has a couple years left. Had been stored with care.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2018 - WineCPA wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful wine & drinking well right now. Cassis, earth, smoke, leather. Classic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2018 - pakabear Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark cherry cough syrup, coffee, leather, milk chocolate, cassis, loads of backend currants mixed with cinnamon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2017 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted for an hour plus. Color was deep, dark purple, almost inky. No amber around the edges. Consumed over two hours. Nose of dark fruit, floral, violets, mint, earth, cola, wood and just a hint of menthol. Medium density and mouth feel; cherry, tobacco, malt, vanilla, blackberry and clove. Long "tame," exquisite, smooth finish with just enough tart fruit to remind us of its' age. Sure, not as bold and complex as some of their premium wines, but Freemark Abbey turns out excellent wines at every price point. This wine is ready to drink and enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2016 - weinmatt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still at plateau (which for this one is a solid B+). Blackberry, currant, leather, tar, licorice, etc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2016 - mntebolt wrote: 85 Points
ok
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2016 - Outplaying wrote:
Eucalyptus, leather and light cedar on the nose. Soft on the palate. Drinking well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2016 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep garnet to indigo in color. Overripe berry aromas on the nose. Dark fruit and cola on the palate. Full bodied with a medium finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2016 - weinmatt Likes this wine: 89 Points
Liked this better the last time we drank it. This time, nothing to write home about. Smooth, but not worth holding on to. It's wine. Drink at your convenience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2016 - Kcroitoru wrote:
Beautiful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2016 - weinmatt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cool, non-descript red fruit, vanilla and a little licorice on the nose. Sweet tannins out of the bottle that mellowed as the night went on. Has some years left in it yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2015 - Jarndyce Likes this wine: 92 Points
Awesome! Great and lots of fruit. Sad that this was last bottle of the 08.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 89 Points
Bright ruby color in the glass. Full of robust fruit on the palate but not as layered or complex as most vintages of this long time favorite. However, this is drinking very well right now. I this this is typical of the '08 vintage which while not very complex, is drinking well early.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2015 - JB12 wrote: 90 Points
Corvined the first glass and the next day finished the rest. It needed to breathe for at least an hour to smooth out. It was a good cab, but not as bold /fruity as those that score higher. Ending was medium but easy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2015 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep red center, red/purple rim with no signs of age.
Chalk, lean black cherries, black currant in the distance, rubbed rosemary, a little dusty.
Smooth and restrained, raspberries and red currants, good tannins, nice fruity finish.
Drinking well now, but will last 5 more years at least and maybe improve a little on the way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2015 - Smudge4! Likes this wine:
Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, youthful and tannic.
Still pretty tight after 1 hour decant. 4 hours later very smooth. Argues for a few more years of sleep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2015 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 88 Points
From memory.
Deep center with red rim, cassis and bramble nose, good length of fruit, structure, reasonable length.
Drinking okay now, but might improve over the next two years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2015 - Jarndyce wrote: 90 Points
30 minute decant then really enjoyed with goat cheese ravioli and pesto. Long finish on this one. Very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2014 - Jarndyce Likes this wine: 90 Points
great color, licorice on the nose, taste of plums, tannins really smoothed out after an hour of air, black pepper on the finish. Liked it a lot!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2014 - Outplaying wrote: 88 Points
Darker fruited, some chocolate, slight minty, eucalyptus note, moderate acidity and light/medium tannin. Solid. I will drink my last bottle within the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2013 - Castle Peak wrote: 88 Points
Pretty much middle of the road Napa Valley Cab. Good...not great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2013 - fingers Likes this wine: 89 Points
Followed over about 4 hours open. Standard dark ruby color, clear and medium speed legs, no sediment present. Pure currant-driven nose showing excellent typicity, background vanilla and tobacco, with average intensity overall. Ripe and fleshy palate, good structure and really smoothed out after the first hour. Extended finish with some pretty vapors lingering in the olfactory tubes. Would be a nice $14-$16 house by-the-glass wine. Should perform well for a few more years, at least. 4+11+16+8 = 89
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2013 - dexterng wrote: 84 Points
May be it needs more breathing time, my bottle was pretty ordinary - on the good side. It did not have the wow factor. Fruit driven with no tobacco scent - which I was hoping for. A bit too powerful and feel very much like Aussie's.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2013 - mmeyers1984 wrote: 91 Points
Rich full taste. Very good value
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/13/2013 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pleasantly surprised. Yes it's mostly just a fruit forward Cab with hints of Merlot, but it is well made, smooth and has a few interesting notes of vanilla and cedar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2013 - rbsmith8 wrote:
Dark cherry and plum w/some vanilla. Definitely needs the decant time to open up. Enjoyable for the price range.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2013 - wineotim Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured, it was reticent and reserved, but after one hour it really opened up and gained some complexity. Dark cherry and cassis, cedar and some vanilla oak. Good value, agree with most other tasters that this wine needs some air time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2013 - GoHeels Likes this wine: 88 Points
Typical fruit-forward Napa cab that blends in with most others in this price range. Good fruit and controlled oak, improved a bit when opened for an hour or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2013 - mcease Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 2 hours New Years Eve 2012. Excellent Cab. Almost as good as the 2007 I had at TIARI Deux. On the nose was Oak, dark sweet fruit, plum, and cocoa. The pallet was nicely complex with more dark sweet fruit, plum, and clove. Excellent finish that lingers. I will pick up a couple to cellar for a few years. This is my favorite Cali Cab in this price range (solid 92 points)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2012 - Outplaying wrote:
Drank this a couple nights ago. I don't remember much about it except that it was red fruited, varietally correct, and enjoyable. Not a blockbuster or long term ager, but pretty solid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2012 - mijnamfauk Likes this wine: 88 Points
Tasty at first but fruit won't outlast the tannins. Recommend drinking in a year or two at most.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2012 - Ajtrader wrote: 91 Points
Good value here, after an hour open.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2012 - Tarrant wrote: 92 Points
Aerated this for about 30 minutes, one of our first favourite Napa Cabs going back to the 1999 vintage, this does not disappoint and was VERY tasty and enjoyable indeed - Dark, full bodied with nose of blackfruit, cedar, mocha, plum and vanilla, very well structured and balanced, interesting, sweet, yet tannic on the palate with a finish that goes on forever, well done!! (92 Points).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2012 - vine20 wrote: 88 Points
Deep garnet color with a sweet, black fruit nose. Black cherries and black berries are a bit too sweet with significant tannins that should resolve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2012 - Jcbragg wrote: 88 Points
Good wine, still a little young
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2012 - Vhoppy wrote:
Better after sitting for 30 min or so. Sweet finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2012 - wconnolly wrote: 86 Points
Interesting full bodied offering from Freemark Abbey. Deep indigo in color. Raspberry, dark cherry, mint, clove and cinnamon on the palate. Interesting evolution as this started out very tannic, opened quickly to reveal mouth filling fruit and spice and then began to close up again after an hour. I know this is a blend from Freemark properties but this was the first vintage of the Napa Cab where the mint and eucalyptus from the Bosche vineyard was so apparent. Drinking really well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2012 - KeithSurg wrote: 85 Points
Decanted several bottles @ Bohanan's, all consistent. Harsh tannins initially that seemed to soften even with a short decant. Not very memorable or much else to say.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2012 - vine20 wrote: 89 Points
Bright ruby red with a bubblegum, cedar, alcohol and sweet red fruit nose. 2 hour decant. Black cherry predominates with some lighter red cherry highlights, raisin, cranberry and chocolate. Tannins show trademark Napa dry, dusty earth. This should improve. Est. 2014-2018.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2012 - zoeldar wrote: 93 Points
A very worthy successor to the fabulous 2007, I was pleasantly surprised to prefer the '08...the aromatic impact of Bosche is obvious in the mix, as the coconut, euch, and blue fruits all come dancing at full steam. Nicely balanced and tasty now, will only improve over time. Anything better or more interesting (or more ageable) in Napa at this sub-$50 pricepoint? Don't think so...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2011 - mmeyers1984 wrote: 91 Points
Very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment