Two Months in Roma; 9/6/2022-10/28/2022 (Rome, Italy): From the wine list at Cul de Sac, Rome. A big bruiser of a wine, alcohol here seems quite prominent still. Dark and red fruits, soil and some tobacco notes. A bit too much for me tonight.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Crowned as one of the finest single varietal Italian CF’s, but for me it was a stunning disappointment, maybe its a faulty bottle or expectations placed too high, who knows. Aged for 20 months in 70% new FR oak. Medium intensity aroma of fresh and dried cherries, sweet briar, tomato leaf, sweet tobacco, plums, licorice. Medium+ body, entry has weird sweetish string, continues to smoky mid palate which lacks in structure with its medium light acidity and powdery tannins.
Upon plop: =========== Cherry red with cherries on the nose. Great scenta that pulls in many exciting directions at the same time. Anise pastilles, mango, vinyl, grilled chicken, rose soap and many more on top of layers of crystal clear red fruit. A young wine that promises gold and green forests in its delivery.
In the mouth it is grumpy. Good and intense as lightning from Mjölner himself. The tannins bite. The acids make the tongue dumb. This bugger is a great definition of the concept of intensity.
Hope it opens up before the bottle is empty
After 4 hours slow-ox ================== Simply collapsed. Failed soufflé. This doesn't seem like a long-term sustainable wine and is happy with all the bottles we did not buy. (Two left.) Artificial candy aromas in aroma and mouth disturbed our senses throughout the evening. There are some good components, even if the composition felt "all over the place".
After this less-then-impressive showing, we're glad we only have two more bottles.
Ok wine, but lightsabres away from affordable.
We're hoping that the wine was just working out some PTSD issues and will turn all of that into strengths as time passes on.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet in the glass. More savory in profile than the typical cab franc. This was a total wine purchase so this specific bottle was showing a bit more age (oxidation) than I was expecting. Storage could be a factor.
93+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This keeps getting better with age. Give it 2-3 hours decanter or better yet drink it second day. Such a complete wine and an incredibly unique experience. Perfect expression of cab franc. He prepared for big tannins but so much black and blue fruit shining through it all. Pronounced nose, long finish. Upside for the future. 94-96
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet in glass. Plenty of tertiary notes, feral, iodine, forest floor, and cough syrup. Medium plus on the nose. Medium plus acidity and high tannins. Medium plus finish. One of the most complex reds I’ve had.
100% Bolgheri Cab Franc. Gorgeous balance of zingy acidity, red and black fruit and tannin, not over-extracted. Nicely judged oak adds to the palate and supports the wine. Pepper and spice and some leather give some tertiary interest. Fantastic balance of mouth filling pleasure. Persistent and complex.
Had to bring for a non-Italian loving friend who drinks very high end Napa, he said it was really good. 4-hour pre-decant then decanted again at restaurant before pairing with rack of lamb and a moroccan goat ragu. Magnificent aromas of sweet green herbs dominated nose with eucalyptus + anise, palate contained so much delicious balanced complex cherry-berry fruit, sweet tobacco, licorice, white chocolate, and mocha. Tannins still present but air time clearly helped. Sold 1 of these and only 1 left, need to wait at least 2 yrs, 5 if I can find the willpower.
No rating (have a cold, my nose not up to it). Dark color. First taste out of bottle super tannic. Gave it a couple hour decant. Softened, but still a bit grippy. Definitely a “big” Bordeaux in style. But I don’t get the classic cab franc notes, which I suppose was disappointing as I bought it for that uniqueness (Italian CF). Suspect it needs 5 years. Think it’s nice one with time 90-94
Decided to check in on this wine again, 3,5 years since I last had it. I am a bit confused here. I have had every vintage of this wine since it back in 2001 was converted into a 100% Cabernet Franc (pre 2001 this was a “Super Tuscan” blend, with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon. 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Sangiovese under the very same name and label) but this particular vintage behaves a bit different. Is it a new "recipe" or is it the vintage is the question? Or is it still in a tunnel? Nose with cherries, herbs, licorice, chocolate and wood spices. Non of the usual adorable grass and bell pepper that is this wines special trademark to be found. Fruit seems darker than I can recall from other vintages, less sweet red cherries and more black and blue fruit, somewhat heavier and denser. Quite tannic and a higher than usual acidity. Also I note that the oak seems more toasted and pronounced than usual? I have one more bottle left in my cellar and I will try to keep it for another 5 years to find out what (if any) is deviant. Vintage or new winemaking? A phase? Or me? This is a very good wine, but not up to my previous experiences and to my expectations. Points for todays performance.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
It has been a long time since I had a Paleo and since I wanted to explore various Tuscan Cabernet Franc wines it seemed a good idea to have a bottle. It proved to be an excellent idea!
We opened the bottle about 4 hours ahead of dinner and it was consumed over about 2 hours. When I tasted it after popping the cork it was a bit muted and alcoholic. Around dinner time it had opened up beautifully.
Deep ruby color. Full aromas of blueberry, some cherry and hints of eucalytus, sandalwood and red licorice. Full bodied with smooth mouth coating tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is very long and fresh troughout. Very seductive wine to drink now, if given time to breathe. I believe it might develop a bit more complexity in 3-5 years but it doesn't have the structure for the real long haul. Althoug for modern wines 10+ years is kind of long haul already....
I’d say: drink now (with some good breathing time) to 2030.
Black and blue berries, milk chocolate and some graham cracker but also its lean and fresh and really really built for the long haul. absolutely in the 92+ points range but right now more than anything it's about potential.
Pretty nose of blue fruit and mint. Quite full with delicious flavors of dark berries and Tuscan earth. Very silky and fine but rather closed down at this point with powerful if supple tannins. There is a lot of material here and lovely subtle hints of Cab Franc tobacco, violet spice and green pepper hidden under the wall of fruit and tannins. Cellar longer and see what happens. 91+
Einfach Hammer! Richtig geiler Wein! So schön und voll in seiner ersten Drinkphase. Paleo und ich sind Freunde fürs Leben... und dies ist mein bester in den letzten drei Jahren.
Opened and decanted for 3 hours. The color is dark red turning to black. The nose is very open at this stage. Notes of dark cherries graphite and green pepper fill the air. In the mouth the wine has a very forceful attack on black cherries lavender tobacco and pencil shavings. Tannins are fine. The finish is very long and slightly sweet. All in I put in infront of the 2012. Still a baby wont hit its prime until 5 or 7 years from now.
Decanted 2+ hrs. Just as if not more delicious than first tried at a tasting last fall, gorgeous dark fruits, layers of chocolate and espresso with baking spices, herbs, and a crisp but long velvety smooth finish which persists 30-45+ seconds. Contrasted at CF tasting with Paleo 2012, Enimigo Gualtallary 2010, Novicium 2015, and Detert 2014 - this was the clear front runner for 3/6 tasters. Believe this will improve over next 5+ years as well, so re-upped for 4 more, 94-95 now, 96+ potential. Yum yum!!
Tasted blind. Ripe dark but also red fruit, lots of spices and herbs, a hint of menthol and a whiff of vanilla after a while in the glass. First signs of aging with some leather. Fresh and balanced with a good structure. Limited complexity, but linar precision. A lot of pleasure to drink. 93+
DnP: dark ruby, reticent nose on pour, some earth noted; medium to full bodied; dark fruit, pleasant spice on finish; not classic CF; definitely early; improves with time, sweeter, some hints of pepper
This wine is really something. Parker nailed it when he said there is always something different when you come back to the glass. Drinking extremely well now with lots of life left.
Brought with us to Seared 1200 Steakhouse in St. Pete Beach ($15 corkage - $0 if you share with your server). Not surprisingly, a young looking, dark, semi-opaque crimson in the glass - right up to the edge - but unexpectedly fruity on both the nose and palate. Effusively so. Big, rich and mouth-filling, bursting with ripe, juicy plum and blackberry fruit. Shows very good depth and focus, yet still seems quite restrained on the mid-palate. Finishes very long, with silky tannins and lots of sweet, opulent fruit. Big, but very polished, this beauty is still a baby and quite primary. A huge fruit bomb right now. Needs another 2-3 years - at least - to realize its full potential. Should be an absolute knockout by then. 50+5+12+17+9=93
Great 100% Cab. Franc . Big , huge backbone. After an hour it was really nice as the tannins broke down. This will be much better in 2-3 years. Quality all over these grapes.
This bottle was approachable after a short decant and I drank it over the next 4 hours. With it being a pure Cab Franc it was bold but not in the least bit one dimensionable. Tannins are present and rounded enough to be enjoyed now but I would wait a few more years if you don’t want to do a 2-3 hour decant. The wine tastes best at 55 degrees, as it approaches room temperature the sharp edges of the tannins emerge and a it of alcoholic heat. Definitely young for sure, will age beautifully. This was a Solid 93-94 rating with potential for the 96-98 range.
A friend brought this to our groups 11/2/18 Cab Franc tasting. It had a rich, ripe nose of floral, black cherry, raspberry, mocha, cocoa, tobacco, anise and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and dry with assertive structure…flavors of black cherry, raspberry, earth, mocha, cocoa, anise, herb and spice.
Opened in the bottle for 3-5 hours and it was ready to go. New world extraction balanced perfectly by more traditional rustic elements. Sandalwood, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, green pepper, wet soil, vanilla, and loads of leathery cherry. More complexity and notes continue to emerge quickly with time in glass. Drinking well now but incredibly young with at least a decade until prime drinking.
Second day the wine did not seem to improve. Tanins very present and angular and the freshness of the wine less. I think this wine really just needs some cellar time. I knew I was popping the cork early but I wanted to asses the wine for the present time
This is my style of wine. While the tanins are not integrated and refined and grainy, the wine is concentrated and voluptuous. Tons of complexity and a full body with a long finish. I will hold the rest of my 5 bottles for at least another year. This wine has the structure to age into a 96-98. Could this be the best pure Cabernet Franc ever? An outstanding wine!
1st wine of tasting (blind Italian ex. Nebbiolo). Bottle was PNP which hurt the score in my opinion.
Menthol, oak, blackberry & orange peel on the nose (big fruit & lots of oak). On palate, black cherry, blackberry fruit dominant. Long finish, medium acidity and medium+ tannins. 92+/- On PNP never would have guessed Cab Franc. With 2 hours of air the green pepper / herbal undertones were much more apparent and it was a more complex wine and more typcial for a Cab Franc. Way too early to drink in my opinion and score is based on pop & pour view (and disappointing given price) - would love to retaste in 5+ years. My #3 of tasting. I guessed modern style Brunello on PNP - never would have done that if this had more airtime (I hope).
Hugely complex nose with blackberry,cassis,violets,white pepper,chocolate and subtle earth.Big,rich and luscious,there is such a beautiful purity of fruit in this wine.It glides across the palate with a silky/smooth mouthfeel and remarkable texture,polished tannins and a spicy,sweet,long finish.Cab franc at its best,made in a modern style,with incredible energy and vibrancy.Superb.
First bottle from this vintage. Nose is quite powerful, rich and deep dark fruits. Not much of the grassy and spicy Cab Franc perfume I normally always finds when this grape is present, but more towards dark fruits, some young oak and a touch of earth. Quite different from what I normally experience in the Paleo Rosso (but realize that I never have had a bottle this young after release before, so no previous real reference on a fresh from the cellar bottle). Palate is also rather different from previous bottles I have had with more dark fruits, chocolate, some fine spicy herbs. Rich and quite big, but not clumsy in anyway. Just very young at this point, and I am sure that this will level out and show its real face if given 3 – 5 years in the cellar. I will keep my remaining bottles, since I know from experience just how great this wine will be. Already looking forward. This will be fantastic with time. (92 – 94)
Pnp, drank 40% of bottle in 1 1/2 hours. Tight, not revealing much. Disappointing. Recorked, put in fridge, then reopened next night. What a difference a day makes. Smooth, delicious fruit, tannins mellowed. Loved it. Not opening another bottle until 2020.
Drinking well after three hours in a decanter. No Cab Franc characteristics I could find, more like a soft Syrah. Hopefully, will get better with more time.
Tasted blind, pop & pour, a bit cellar cold at first. Didn't show nice Cab Franc characteristics until after 45 min, when warmer & air. At first it was some spice, sweet floral fruit, acid, some oak, a bit tight though smooth tannins. Thought it was a beautiful, soft 2013/2014 traditional Super Tuscan (Cab Sauv., Merlot, Sangiovese). Loved by all, both in the beginning and over time. Can decant & enjoy now, or hold.
15% alcohol. Tasted alongside most of the Paleo vintages from 2013 to 1993.
Youthful, translucent ruby red color. Very ripe nose with some alcohol and typical aromas of warm-climate Cabernet Franc: ripe dark fruits, some pyrazine aromas of bell pepper, a little bit of smoke, a hint of inky character and a touch of sweet oak spice. The wine feels quite full-bodied and supple on the palate with youthful, complex flavors of cooked bell pepper, ripe blackcurrant-driven dark berries, a little bit of woody spice, a hint of sweet black cherries and a touch of chocolate oak. Alcohol pushes a little bit through. The wine feels pretty balanced with moderately tannic grip and moderately high acidity. The finish is quite peppery with classic Franc flavors of bell pepper, crunchy blackcurrant, some cocoa tones, a little bit of sweet, toasty oak spice and a hint of tannic grip. The alcohol lends a warming touch to the aftertaste.
A very youthful and primary, but also remarkably approachable for a young Paleo. Unlike the older bintages, that seem more savory and stylistically closer to the Bordeaux style, this one was more fruit-forward and stylistically quite close to a very warm vintage Chinon. Especially the pyrazine aromas and flavors of capsicum seem quite pronounced in this particular vintage and whereas the wine is very attractive now, I'm not so sure if it is built for the really long haul. Most likely the wine will develop nicely over the following 5-6 years or so and keep for at least a decade, but I doubt the wine will be around for much longer than that. Tasty example of the early-drinking style, but the alcohol is a bit too pronounced right now. Feels pretty overpriced at 83€.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, dark reddish-purple in color; essentially opaque. Full, fragrant & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of violets & earthy/dusty notes, spices, dried herbs, olives, some cocoa, leather, mint, minerals & nuances of cigar box notes of cedar & aged tobacco in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, plush & rich, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with spices, herbs, earthy, some cocoa, minerals & a touch of vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks well at present with decanting & extended airing but has potential for further development with a few more years of additional aging.
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 09/08/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “100% C.F. from the ff Vyds (with their dates of planting): Puntone 1993, Casa Nuova 1998, Vignone 1999, & Madonnina 2002; Harvested 3rd & 4th wks of Sept, yielding ≈ 800 g/plant; Fermentation & maceration for 30 days in concrete tanks; Aged 20 mos in barriques (70% new, 30% 2nd use); Bottled 7/11/15;” 15% ABV
N: Focused berries with SMOKE; More yet to give?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish, smoky frt met by some very, VERY finely tannic pucker which only SLIGHTLY resolves by the quite LONG, distinctly BITTER/swt choc finish. NEEDS a BUNCH of time ('til '21?) to HOPEFULLY overcome the bitterness. IF so, might just provide fabulous drinking into its 15th yr! 97 pts ea Suckling & WA, 96 Vinous (Galloni), 95 Wine & Spirits, 93 Luca Gardini, and 92 WE (4/1/17) @ $110! [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $100].
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty nose of dark red fruits and a hint of tobacco. Quite plush for Cab Franc with rich black currant fruit but then some good Italian acidity and structure kick in to keep the wine fresh and intense. Finishes with supple tannins and beautiful notes of black earth, minerals and tobacco leaf. Some might question the typicity of the grape and this certainly isn't Chinon but rather a great expression of voluptuous Cab Franc that really works. 93+
Gorgeous bouquet, fragrant with that seductive CF nose, a touch floral and some ripe fruits as well. Velvety in the mouth, medium bodied this could last for two decades.
Mighty young, but already terribly nice. Combines the green, fresh aromas of Cabernet Franc with the warmth of the soils in Bolgheri. As if you held your nose to the ground on a Summer evening. Typical eucalyptus in the background. A delicacy, can't wait till it evolves and shows its true beauty (in a few years time).
4/15/2024 - ulyon Likes this wine: 92 Points
92-93
it felt like a 2023 vintage
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2024 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 95 Points
I’m a sucker for 100 % CF! Bell pepper, cherry, plum, prune, leather, tobacco, blackberry, medium plus body, great long finish
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2023 - OneOfTheBasicFoodGroups Likes this wine: 98 Points
Much improved. One of the nicest wines I've tried.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2023 - bonedoc wrote:
1st bottle of 12... delicious!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2022 - MikaK Likes this wine: 95 Points
Full bodied, well integrated tannins already. Balanced and complex, dark fruits, mocha, tobacco, licorice and forest soil. Drink or keep
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2022 - awever Likes this wine: 93 Points
Eher der strenge Maremma -Typ
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2022 - retired_and_roving wrote:
Two Months in Roma; 9/6/2022-10/28/2022 (Rome, Italy): From the wine list at Cul de Sac, Rome. A big bruiser of a wine, alcohol here seems quite prominent still. Dark and red fruits, soil and some tobacco notes. A bit too much for me tonight.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2022 - Luciano De Riso wrote:
Coravin on october 6
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2022 - Ernestas wrote: 89 Points
Crowned as one of the finest single varietal Italian CF’s, but for me it was a stunning disappointment, maybe its a faulty bottle or expectations placed too high, who knows. Aged for 20 months in 70% new FR oak. Medium intensity aroma of fresh and dried cherries, sweet briar, tomato leaf, sweet tobacco, plums, licorice. Medium+ body, entry has weird sweetish string, continues to smoky mid palate which lacks in structure with its medium light acidity and powdery tannins.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
6/28/2022 - Stefan75 Likes this wine: 94 Points
PnP, to compare the Guaspari Cab Franc, slightly older and more accessible, in a great spot, drink or hold!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2022 - StefanAkiko wrote: 91 Points
Upon plop:
===========
Cherry red with cherries on the nose. Great scenta that pulls in many exciting directions at the same time. Anise pastilles, mango, vinyl, grilled chicken, rose soap and many more on top of layers of crystal clear red fruit. A young wine that promises gold and green forests in its delivery.
In the mouth it is grumpy. Good and intense as lightning from Mjölner himself. The tannins bite. The acids make the tongue dumb. This bugger is a great definition of the concept of intensity.
Hope it opens up before the bottle is empty
After 4 hours slow-ox
==================
Simply collapsed.
Failed soufflé.
This doesn't seem like a long-term sustainable wine and is happy with all the bottles we did not buy. (Two left.)
Artificial candy aromas in aroma and mouth disturbed our senses throughout the evening. There are some good components, even if the composition felt "all over the place".
After this less-then-impressive showing, we're glad we only have two more bottles.
Ok wine, but lightsabres away from affordable.
We're hoping that the wine was just working out some PTSD issues and will turn all of that into strengths as time passes on.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 93 Points
PNP, consumed over two days.
Garnet in the glass. More savory in profile than the typical cab franc. This was a total wine purchase so this specific bottle was showing a bit more age (oxidation) than I was expecting. Storage could be a factor.
93+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2022 - WilD wrote: 97 Points
Brought to a restaurant. Decanted for 1 hr and lift off. Great performance. Cherries, full bodied. Creamy. Great expression of cabernet franc.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2022 - UFGators wrote: 95 Points
This keeps getting better with age. Give it 2-3 hours decanter or better yet drink it second day. Such a complete wine and an incredibly unique experience. Perfect expression of cab franc. He prepared for big tannins but so much black and blue fruit shining through it all. Pronounced nose, long finish. Upside for the future. 94-96
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2022 - Es7e2003 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Garnet in glass. Plenty of tertiary notes, feral, iodine, forest floor, and cough syrup. Medium plus on the nose. Medium plus acidity and high tannins. Medium plus finish. One of the most complex reds I’ve had.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (7)
2/13/2022 - JensVM Likes this wine: 88 Points
nice - when in Italy….
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2022 - Camilla Reese wrote:
Nice super toscana!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/28/2021 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 95 Points
100% Bolgheri Cab Franc. Gorgeous balance of zingy acidity, red and black fruit and tannin, not over-extracted. Nicely judged oak adds to the palate and supports the wine. Pepper and spice and some leather give some tertiary interest. Fantastic balance of mouth filling pleasure. Persistent and complex.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
7/23/2021 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Had to bring for a non-Italian loving friend who drinks very high end Napa, he said it was really good. 4-hour pre-decant then decanted again at restaurant before pairing with rack of lamb and a moroccan goat ragu. Magnificent aromas of sweet green herbs dominated nose with eucalyptus + anise, palate contained so much delicious balanced complex cherry-berry fruit, sweet tobacco, licorice, white chocolate, and mocha. Tannins still present but air time clearly helped. Sold 1 of these and only 1 left, need to wait at least 2 yrs, 5 if I can find the willpower.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/21/2021 - rcg62 wrote:
No rating (have a cold, my nose not up to it). Dark color. First taste out of bottle super tannic. Gave it a couple hour decant. Softened, but still a bit grippy. Definitely a “big” Bordeaux in style. But I don’t get the classic cab franc notes, which I suppose was disappointing as I bought it for that uniqueness (Italian CF). Suspect it needs 5 years. Think it’s nice one with time 90-94
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
7/17/2021 - WilD wrote: 96 Points
Brought at tasting. Great wine. Needs to be decanted for 2 hrs. Cherry notes, creamy, full bodied. Nice acidity.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/3/2021 - Ramberg wrote: 91 Points
Decided to check in on this wine again, 3,5 years since I last had it.
I am a bit confused here.
I have had every vintage of this wine since it back in 2001 was converted into a 100% Cabernet Franc (pre 2001 this was a “Super Tuscan” blend, with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon. 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Sangiovese under the very same name and label) but this particular vintage behaves a bit different.
Is it a new "recipe" or is it the vintage is the question?
Or is it still in a tunnel?
Nose with cherries, herbs, licorice, chocolate and wood spices.
Non of the usual adorable grass and bell pepper that is this wines special trademark to be found.
Fruit seems darker than I can recall from other vintages, less sweet red cherries and more black and blue fruit, somewhat heavier and denser.
Quite tannic and a higher than usual acidity.
Also I note that the oak seems more toasted and pronounced than usual?
I have one more bottle left in my cellar and I will try to keep it for another 5 years to find out what (if any) is deviant.
Vintage or new winemaking?
A phase?
Or me?
This is a very good wine, but not up to my previous experiences and to my expectations.
Points for todays performance.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2021 - mikemboutiquewines wrote: 96 Points
Excellent representation of the varietal (Cab Franc). Really opens up after being open/ in the glass for an hour or two.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
10/17/2020 - Cipivts Likes this wine: 92 Points
Jam, coffee, mocha and flowers, great wine but maybe a bit too concentrated on the palate for my taste
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
8/30/2020 - Jochems Likes this wine: 93 Points
It has been a long time since I had a Paleo and since I wanted to explore various Tuscan Cabernet Franc wines it seemed a good idea to have a bottle. It proved to be an excellent idea!
We opened the bottle about 4 hours ahead of dinner and it was consumed over about 2 hours. When I tasted it after popping the cork it was a bit muted and alcoholic. Around dinner time it had opened up beautifully.
Deep ruby color. Full aromas of blueberry, some cherry and hints of eucalytus, sandalwood and red licorice. Full bodied with smooth mouth coating tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is very long and fresh troughout.
Very seductive wine to drink now, if given time to breathe. I believe it might develop a bit more complexity in 3-5 years but it doesn't have the structure for the real long haul. Althoug for modern wines 10+ years is kind of long haul already....
I’d say: drink now (with some good breathing time) to 2030.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (7)
7/7/2020 - ajeeja wrote:
Lacks elegance and at 15% is not surprising. It’s certainly well done, but not my style. I’d rate this on the 88-90
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (9)
5/26/2020 - doncabernet Likes this wine: 93 Points
A baby-kill. Far too young. PnP should have decanted fir hours was a bit of a waste like this. Will not touch next four years. Good stuff
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (6)
5/9/2020 - Omar Khayyam wrote:
Black and blue berries, milk chocolate and some graham cracker but also its lean and fresh and really really built for the long haul. absolutely in the 92+ points range but right now more than anything it's about potential.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/25/2020 - dream Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty nose of blue fruit and mint. Quite full with delicious flavors of dark berries and Tuscan earth. Very silky and fine but rather closed down at this point with powerful if supple tannins. There is a lot of material here and lovely subtle hints of Cab Franc tobacco, violet spice and green pepper hidden under the wall of fruit and tannins. Cellar longer and see what happens. 91+
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/7/2020 - MM29 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Einfach Hammer! Richtig geiler Wein! So schön und voll in seiner ersten Drinkphase. Paleo und ich sind Freunde fürs Leben... und dies ist mein bester in den letzten drei Jahren.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/17/2019 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still amazing, just a notch less in the subtropics, but a long life and evolution ahead. Must...be...patient.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/30/2019 - Hanibal Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened and decanted for 3 hours. The color is dark red turning to black. The nose is very open at this stage. Notes of dark cherries graphite and green pepper fill the air. In the mouth the wine has a very forceful attack on black cherries lavender tobacco and pencil shavings. Tannins are fine. The finish is very long and slightly sweet. All in I put in infront of the 2012. Still a baby wont hit its prime until 5 or 7 years from now.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
7/19/2019 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted 2+ hrs. Just as if not more delicious than first tried at a tasting last fall, gorgeous dark fruits, layers of chocolate and espresso with baking spices, herbs, and a crisp but long velvety smooth finish which persists 30-45+ seconds. Contrasted at CF tasting with Paleo 2012, Enimigo Gualtallary 2010, Novicium 2015, and Detert 2014 - this was the clear front runner for 3/6 tasters. Believe this will improve over next 5+ years as well, so re-upped for 4 more, 94-95 now, 96+ potential. Yum yum!!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/21/2019 - sirpat00 wrote: 93 Points
Tasted blind. Ripe dark but also red fruit, lots of spices and herbs, a hint of menthol and a whiff of vanilla after a while in the glass. First signs of aging with some leather. Fresh and balanced with a good structure. Limited complexity, but linar precision. A lot of pleasure to drink. 93+
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/21/2019 - dafmd Likes this wine: 92 Points
DnP: dark ruby, reticent nose on pour, some earth noted; medium to full bodied; dark fruit, pleasant spice on finish; not classic CF; definitely early; improves with time, sweeter, some hints of pepper
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/23/2019 - UFGators Likes this wine:
This wine is really something. Parker nailed it when he said there is always something different when you come back to the glass. Drinking extremely well now with lots of life left.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/14/2019 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought with us to Seared 1200 Steakhouse in St. Pete Beach ($15 corkage - $0 if you share with your server). Not surprisingly, a young looking, dark, semi-opaque crimson in the glass - right up to the edge - but unexpectedly fruity on both the nose and palate. Effusively so. Big, rich and mouth-filling, bursting with ripe, juicy plum and blackberry fruit. Shows very good depth and focus, yet still seems quite restrained on the mid-palate. Finishes very long, with silky tannins and lots of sweet, opulent fruit. Big, but very polished, this beauty is still a baby and quite primary. A huge fruit bomb right now. Needs another 2-3 years - at least - to realize its full potential. Should be an absolute knockout by then.
50+5+12+17+9=93
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/6/2019 - willfab60 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great 100% Cab. Franc . Big , huge backbone. After an hour it was really nice as the tannins broke down. This will be much better in 2-3 years. Quality all over these grapes.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/4/2018 - UFGators Likes this wine:
This bottle was approachable after a short decant and I drank it over the next 4 hours. With it being a pure Cab Franc it was bold but not in the least bit one dimensionable. Tannins are present and rounded enough to be enjoyed now but I would wait a few more years if you don’t want to do a 2-3 hour decant. The wine tastes best at 55 degrees, as it approaches room temperature the sharp edges of the tannins emerge and a it of alcoholic heat. Definitely young for sure, will age beautifully. This was a Solid 93-94 rating with potential for the 96-98 range.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/2/2018 - garambler Likes this wine: 92 Points
A friend brought this to our groups 11/2/18 Cab Franc tasting. It had a rich, ripe nose of floral, black cherry, raspberry, mocha, cocoa, tobacco, anise and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and dry with assertive structure…flavors of black cherry, raspberry, earth, mocha, cocoa, anise, herb and spice.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
8/19/2018 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Opened in the bottle for 3-5 hours and it was ready to go. New world extraction balanced perfectly by more traditional rustic elements. Sandalwood, eucalyptus, dark chocolate, green pepper, wet soil, vanilla, and loads of leathery cherry. More complexity and notes continue to emerge quickly with time in glass. Drinking well now but incredibly young with at least a decade until prime drinking.
7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/13/2018 - UFGators Likes this wine: 93 Points
Second day the wine did not seem to improve. Tanins very present and angular and the freshness of the wine less. I think this wine really just needs some cellar time. I knew I was popping the cork early but I wanted to asses the wine for the present time
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
6/12/2018 - UFGators Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is my style of wine. While the tanins are not integrated and refined and grainy, the wine is concentrated and voluptuous. Tons of complexity and a full body with a long finish. I will hold the rest of my 5 bottles for at least another year. This wine has the structure to age into a 96-98. Could this be the best pure Cabernet Franc ever? An outstanding wine!
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/28/2018 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
1st wine of tasting (blind Italian ex. Nebbiolo). Bottle was PNP which hurt the score in my opinion.
Menthol, oak, blackberry & orange peel on the nose (big fruit & lots of oak). On palate, black cherry, blackberry fruit dominant. Long finish, medium acidity and medium+ tannins. 92+/- On PNP never would have guessed Cab Franc. With 2 hours of air the green pepper / herbal undertones were much more apparent and it was a more complex wine and more typcial for a Cab Franc. Way too early to drink in my opinion and score is based on pop & pour view (and disappointing given price) - would love to retaste in 5+ years. My #3 of tasting. I guessed modern style Brunello on PNP - never would have done that if this had more airtime (I hope).
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
3/26/2018 - valedeniro wrote: 96 Points
Hugely complex nose with blackberry,cassis,violets,white pepper,chocolate and subtle earth.Big,rich and luscious,there is such a beautiful purity of fruit in this wine.It glides across the palate with a silky/smooth mouthfeel and remarkable texture,polished tannins and a spicy,sweet,long finish.Cab franc at its best,made in a modern style,with incredible energy and vibrancy.Superb.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
2/16/2018 - Ramberg wrote: 93 Points
First bottle from this vintage.
Nose is quite powerful, rich and deep dark fruits.
Not much of the grassy and spicy Cab Franc perfume I normally always finds when this grape is present, but more towards dark fruits, some young oak and a touch of earth.
Quite different from what I normally experience in the Paleo Rosso (but realize that I never have had a bottle this young after release before, so no previous real reference on a fresh from the cellar bottle).
Palate is also rather different from previous bottles I have had with more dark fruits, chocolate, some fine spicy herbs.
Rich and quite big, but not clumsy in anyway.
Just very young at this point, and I am sure that this will level out and show its real face if given 3 – 5 years in the cellar.
I will keep my remaining bottles, since I know from experience just how great this wine will be.
Already looking forward.
This will be fantastic with time.
(92 – 94)
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/19/2018 - franinnyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich and earthy with a long finish. Very nice.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/15/2018 - patwjr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pnp, drank 40% of bottle in 1 1/2 hours. Tight, not revealing much. Disappointing. Recorked, put in fridge, then reopened next night. What a difference a day makes. Smooth, delicious fruit, tannins mellowed. Loved it. Not opening another bottle until 2020.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
12/18/2017 - Moonie wrote: 91 Points
Drinking well after three hours in a decanter. No Cab Franc characteristics I could find, more like a soft Syrah. Hopefully, will get better with more time.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/16/2017 - sethboy23 wrote: 93 Points
Always ninja. This is going to 98 for sure. Love this wine. Always
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2017 - patwjr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted blind, pop & pour, a bit cellar cold at first. Didn't show nice Cab Franc characteristics until after 45 min, when warmer & air. At first it was some spice, sweet floral fruit, acid, some oak, a bit tight though smooth tannins. Thought it was a beautiful, soft 2013/2014 traditional Super Tuscan (Cab Sauv., Merlot, Sangiovese). Loved by all, both in the beginning and over time. Can decant & enjoy now, or hold.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/25/2017 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points
15% alcohol. Tasted alongside most of the Paleo vintages from 2013 to 1993.
Youthful, translucent ruby red color. Very ripe nose with some alcohol and typical aromas of warm-climate Cabernet Franc: ripe dark fruits, some pyrazine aromas of bell pepper, a little bit of smoke, a hint of inky character and a touch of sweet oak spice. The wine feels quite full-bodied and supple on the palate with youthful, complex flavors of cooked bell pepper, ripe blackcurrant-driven dark berries, a little bit of woody spice, a hint of sweet black cherries and a touch of chocolate oak. Alcohol pushes a little bit through. The wine feels pretty balanced with moderately tannic grip and moderately high acidity. The finish is quite peppery with classic Franc flavors of bell pepper, crunchy blackcurrant, some cocoa tones, a little bit of sweet, toasty oak spice and a hint of tannic grip. The alcohol lends a warming touch to the aftertaste.
A very youthful and primary, but also remarkably approachable for a young Paleo. Unlike the older bintages, that seem more savory and stylistically closer to the Bordeaux style, this one was more fruit-forward and stylistically quite close to a very warm vintage Chinon. Especially the pyrazine aromas and flavors of capsicum seem quite pronounced in this particular vintage and whereas the wine is very attractive now, I'm not so sure if it is built for the really long haul. Most likely the wine will develop nicely over the following 5-6 years or so and keep for at least a decade, but I doubt the wine will be around for much longer than that. Tasty example of the early-drinking style, but the alcohol is a bit too pronounced right now. Feels pretty overpriced at 83€.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2017 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep, dark reddish-purple in color; essentially opaque. Full, fragrant & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of violets & earthy/dusty notes, spices, dried herbs, olives, some cocoa, leather, mint, minerals & nuances of cigar box notes of cedar & aged tobacco in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, plush & rich, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with spices, herbs, earthy, some cocoa, minerals & a touch of vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks well at present with decanting & extended airing but has potential for further development with a few more years of additional aging.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
9/9/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 09/08/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “100% C.F. from the ff Vyds (with their dates of planting): Puntone 1993, Casa Nuova 1998, Vignone 1999, & Madonnina 2002; Harvested 3rd & 4th wks of Sept, yielding ≈ 800 g/plant; Fermentation & maceration for 30 days in concrete tanks; Aged 20 mos in barriques (70% new, 30% 2nd use); Bottled 7/11/15;” 15% ABV
N: Focused berries with SMOKE; More yet to give?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish, smoky frt met by some very, VERY finely tannic pucker which only SLIGHTLY resolves by the quite LONG, distinctly BITTER/swt choc finish. NEEDS a BUNCH of time ('til '21?) to HOPEFULLY overcome the bitterness. IF so, might just provide fabulous drinking into its 15th yr! 97 pts ea Suckling & WA, 96 Vinous (Galloni), 95 Wine & Spirits, 93 Luca Gardini, and 92 WE (4/1/17) @ $110! [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $100].
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2017 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pretty nose of dark red fruits and a hint of tobacco. Quite plush for Cab Franc with rich black currant fruit but then some good Italian acidity and structure kick in to keep the wine fresh and intense. Finishes with supple tannins and beautiful notes of black earth, minerals and tobacco leaf. Some might question the typicity of the grape and this certainly isn't Chinon but rather a great expression of voluptuous Cab Franc that really works. 93+
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
6/24/2017 - Vasily Likes this wine: 97 Points
excellent now. should be spectacular in a few years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/26/2017 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote: 92 Points
Gorgeous bouquet, fragrant with that seductive CF nose, a touch floral and some ripe fruits as well. Velvety in the mouth, medium bodied this could last for two decades.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/25/2017 - Levantine wrote:
Love at first sight. Wonderful Cabernet Franc nose. Very floral and slightly jammy. Very full southern mouth. Mouth coating And very long.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2017 - mikita77 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Mighty young, but already terribly nice. Combines the green, fresh aromas of Cabernet Franc with the warmth of the soils in Bolgheri. As if you held your nose to the ground on a Summer evening. Typical eucalyptus in the background. A delicacy, can't wait till it evolves and shows its true beauty (in a few years time).
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)