NV Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot 111 - Aniversary Edition

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 86.4 points

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  6/20/2013 - mutantwine Likes this wine: 86 Points

  Easy to drink, well made but not complex. Taste great.

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  10/12/2012 - DaveZack wrote: 87 Points

  Fess’ Frontier Red (FR) is ALWAYS an interesting, well-made, delicious, red bargain. I’ve had FRs that were rich, creamy, earthy, and spicy, like a good Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Lot No. 111 (the subject under review here) is quite different from most of the other FRs that I’ve had before. This is a light-bodied blend that tastes like it’s predominantly made with Grenache. The addition of Spain’s Tempranillo and Portugal’s Souzao, which I’ve never seen listed as a component on a FR before, seems to add another level of depth and flavor.
  
  Sticking with the “tastes like it’s mostly Grenache” theme, there’s gorgeous red fruits like raspberries, strawberries, and cherries up-front, along with suggestions of secondary dark/black fruits like blackberries and sour cherries. There’s also a serious savory herb element to this wine as well, along with black pepper. Oak is barely present and not out-of-balance, along with an earthy and mineral element as well. The wine has nice acidity and a slightly rustic finish (all in a very good way).
  
  To cut the chase and to describe this wine as expeditiously as possible, imagine taking a Pinot Noir and blending it with a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Yeah, the person who would dare do something that sacrilegious should rot in hell for eternity, but it’s just about how I would quickly/easily describe this wonderful, affordable blend!
  
  I noticed while writing these notes that the wine really evolved as it was able to breathe. When just opened (and as previously mentioned), the Grenache became most apparent. As the wine breathed and oxidated, the Syrah stepped-up to the plate and said, “Hey, check me out!” So you may want to decant this wine for an hour or so to allow its aromatic elements to develop.

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  1/25/2012 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 88 Points

  TN; Wines under $18: I liked this blend, but I am shocked there is no Pinot in this. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is candied cherries with a bit of sour cherries as well. Soft in texture and a bit generic. This drink likes a inexpensive SoCal Pinot, yet has about every other red grape in it but Pinot. No matter, its a nice QPR that would be fine for a party.

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  12/6/2011 - PinotMaster wrote: 89 Points

  Great everyday drinking wine. Nice nose with a fruity taste

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  11/17/2011 - epicred wrote: 87 Points

  This wine looks gimmicky, but was surprisingly smooth w/ a nice balance between fruit & alcohol. Drink it now.

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