2012 Robert Young Estate Winery Cabernet Franc Big Rock Block

Community Tasting Notes (13) Avg Score: 92.7 points

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  9/12/2021 - mflesh wrote:

  I've written 9 notes over six years regarding 18 of these that I purchased back in 2015. All good things must come to an end I guess! This Franc has turned "to the dark side" yet interestingly enough this one took approximately an hour to wake from its almost 10 year slumber. It is amazing how well these hold, this being no exception to that rule. The cork was withdrawn intact, with an extremely dark stain with lots of sediment. Pours very dark crimson, almost black into the glass with sort of a violet meniscus. Nose of clove, green olive, roasted nuts, blackberry cola, hint of dark chocolate, but seductively darker on the palate. The entry of this has a lot of clove and black licorice on the initial impression. Then dark chocolate, cola, roasted blackberries and figs roll in. Toasted charred tannic finish. Wow. And what an incredible structure! I would say this wine could sit for another 5 to 7 years easily, but I do not believe it is going to get any better than it is right now. If you have more than one of these, you're a lucky person. I used to have a whole bunch...... This is my last one unfortunately. My current vintage of Cabernet Franc from this producer are definitely lacking. Maybe I can convince them to send me a few so that I can review them :-) The last rating, I said that this one would be 94 plus and I definitely agree with this now. I would give this 95 points in a heartbeat. IMO, this is one of the best domestic Cabernet Franc I have ever had.

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  1/11/2021 - mliszt Likes this wine: 95 Points

  POP TREMENDOUS RIGHT NOW

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  5/12/2020 - mflesh wrote:

  I won't give another rating but I will tell you that my previous 93 rating would be retracted if I could (I'm pretty sure I still could) and replaced by 94 for an avg 94.5. This is Cab Franc at its finest. Fully integrated, excellent depth and weight. Easily a top 5 Domestic Cab Franc. I bought 18 of these and only 1 more remains. Incredible juice. If you still have these in your possession, you have a chunk of gold in your cellar.

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  12/7/2018 - mflesh wrote: 94 Points

  Out of 18 bottles purchased, three remain after this one. Guess that is what it takes to hold a wine like this for 6 years past vintage. I continue to be impressed by the Cabernet Franc offering by Robert Young Estate Winery. This wine is probably 5 years away from being a pop and pour. Which means it probably has another 10 to 15 years left. Nose of this one is dried wildflowers and nutmeg. The entry is black cherry and blackberry and still has quite a bit of youthful fruit. Middle is sweet tobacco and black cherry dominated. Finish is a bit dirty. Hint of chocolate. Hint of allspice. Fair amount of black pepper. QUITE a bit of youthful oak tannin. IMO this should be their current release.

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  2/15/2018 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points

  Waiting for this one to mature or become a little more pop and pour is like watching your mutual funds grow. I am really glad that I have a ton of this, as I know that it can still go the distance and still has quite a bit of potential to develop and morph. Tonight, this one was still very astringent from the pour. Nose and it actually had good fruit, later added the floral component. Entry was at first mostly needed fruit, then later the fruits which two more to the finish with a little bit of nutmeg and a proper acidity on the finish. I would say the proper time to drink this wine is 2022 as a PNP. Still rather enjoyable bottle after a long day of work.

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