The ripe and fruity nose with "sweet and sour" character foreshadows how the wine is revealed on the palate. The lightness of the pale straw color is deceptive in its restraint as this wine is anything but moderate. My impression of the nose was tropical fruits; pear, apricot, and honeycomb emerged on the palate. The finish was reminiscent of baked apples and persimmon, but not overly sweet or overwhelming in any way. I'm amazed a ~$12 bottle can be this interesting and tasty; great QPR if you can find it under $20/btl, which should not be difficult. A wine this complex with great balance and no glaring flaws is a real treat.
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Exceptional wine after .5 - 1hr decant. Immediately after opening, the nose was muted and the palate and mouthfeel lackluster. After about 30 minutes, dark chocolate emerged center-stage with an accompanying satiny texture that was reminiscent of rich hot cocoa. Red fruit is underlying; cherry the most dominant. A decadent Cab, though far from cloying or unctuous.
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Spectacular. Unbeatable QPR at $40. It is rather different than the 2018 Frank Family, though the two merit comparison as Napa Cabs. The Buena Vista is slightly preferable to me as I find it less decadent, with more red-fruit on the nose and palate and less cacao than the FF. More superlatives would not be embellishment, a truly superb wine.
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2021 Clos Palet Vouvray
7/1/2023 - winocowboy Likes this wine: 90 Points
The ripe and fruity nose with "sweet and sour" character foreshadows how the wine is revealed on the palate. The lightness of the pale straw color is deceptive in its restraint as this wine is anything but moderate. My impression of the nose was tropical fruits; pear, apricot, and honeycomb emerged on the palate. The finish was reminiscent of baked apples and persimmon, but not overly sweet or overwhelming in any way. I'm amazed a ~$12 bottle can be this interesting and tasty; great QPR if you can find it under $20/btl, which should not be difficult. A wine this complex with great balance and no glaring flaws is a real treat.
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2018 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
5/29/2023 - winocowboy wrote: 91 Points
Exceptional wine after .5 - 1hr decant. Immediately after opening, the nose was muted and the palate and mouthfeel lackluster. After about 30 minutes, dark chocolate emerged center-stage with an accompanying satiny texture that was reminiscent of rich hot cocoa. Red fruit is underlying; cherry the most dominant. A decadent Cab, though far from cloying or unctuous.
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2019 Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Buena Vista Napa Valley
5/28/2023 - winocowboy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Spectacular. Unbeatable QPR at $40. It is rather different than the 2018 Frank Family, though the two merit comparison as Napa Cabs. The Buena Vista is slightly preferable to me as I find it less decadent, with more red-fruit on the nose and palate and less cacao than the FF. More superlatives would not be embellishment, a truly superb wine.
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