2020 Truchard Cabernet Franc

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 93 points

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  1/6/2024 - Bjweiss wrote:

  Opened my first bottle back in March, and scored it a high 93pts. This next one really surprised me… it’s been 9 months in bottle and I’m getting smoke taint on this second one. I was looking hard for it in that first bottle knowing it was a 2020, and few were spared the effects of the fires (unless they pick very early). The smoke isn’t on the nose, but when I taste, I’m getting a sensation at the back sides of the cheeks that feels slightly metallic and ashey, for lack of a better description. It lingers and leaves a drying note that’s distinct from the usual structure I expect from the wine. Really bizarre that it would be so different an experience from that first bottle 9 months ago, but perhaps it is starting to rear its head out. I’m not sure. It could also just be a weird interaction with the food I ate today - it’s happened before.
  
  Update: Day 2, and I’m re-tasting given everything noted above. I’m getting a much better experience today, and what I thought might have been smoke was not present, thankfully! Either the wine was really tightly coiled, or something I ate with dinner had a funky interaction, or both. The tannins have softened a bit on day two, which is also making the wine more approachable. I’m not enjoying it as much as that first bottle 9 months ago, surprisingly, given the wine’s serious structure, but it’s delivering a solid experience today and I’m removing my “flawed” tag, but I’m going to hold back on a score for this one. Planning to hold my next bottle for a few years to see how things evolve.

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  3/29/2023 - Bjweiss Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Needed 90min in the decanter to show its stuff, and much like the 2019, this is an outstanding wine. Shows the varietal perfectly and the wine strikes a great balance of medium plus body. Tannins are very present, and perhaps a touch harsh, but it’s young and I fully expect a couple years of bottle age will soften those. I wouldn’t hesitate to open these now, though, they’re that good. Love the new labels for 2020 too. It elevates the bottle to the level the wine is performing.

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