An Evening with Todd Graff of Frank Family Vineyards

Wonderful wine event with Todd Graff of Frank Family Vineyards, a winery that delivers way beyond the price that it charges. While the chardonnay was merely good and the pinot was disappointing (too cab-like), the Zin was a revelation and the three cabernets, especially the Reserve and Winston, were simply stunning. Alison and Jessica in attendance.

• 2010 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Clean, bright and especially warm lemon, some toast and kernel, vanilla and hints of light tropical, particularly cantaloupe. Lemon peel. The style is subtle and elegant, crisp and balanced. Medium to med plus body, with medium plus acidity that shows itself on the palate. Very elegant effort.

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• 2009 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Red cherry and raspberry fruit (not a fan of dark raspberry fruit in my pinots), some cinnamon baking specs, a deep floral and some violet. Fruit has some fleshiness and umph. Plenty of tannins here and some warmth. This wine is unfortunately made like a cabernet by cabernet-minded winemakers, and has none of the elegance and grace that a pinot should have. Probably too much oak and maceration, and not enough gentleness. It is a solid wine in its own right, but not displaying too much of the grace of the varietal. Medium bodied, with the clunky tannins of a fuller wine. Slight disappointment in a lineup filled with wonderful wines. Neverhteless, cab lovers should be pleased with it. Pinot drinkers beware.

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• 2009 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Beautiful, and dare I say, elegant Zin? The intricate aroma reveals dusty blackberry, some darker currant and some darker raspberry Has an almost balsamic note, which I especially consider prized, and which can be found in some of the fine wines of Italy. Deep and toasty character with a little bit of an exotic streak. Charcoal ash. Deep integrated spice. Lots of concentration, and a long, pencil lead, cabernet-minded finish. Again, a wine that is made with a cabernet mindset, and, unlike the pinot in the lineup, the Zin is all the better for it. Plenty of depthwithout the overdone extraction, it is an elegant, gorgeous and sophisticated Zin that really represents what I hope to be the future of the varietal. Highly recommend!!

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• 2009 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Oh boy, now for the big guns. Todd Graff is bringing it with his cab lineup! The first of the three, the Napa Valley Cab exhibits red currant, some black tea, a streak of greenness and eucalyptus, subtle spice, and a fleshy, plump and long finish with plenty of tannin that is slightly rough at this stage. Nevertheless, this is a subtle, beautifully-constructed wine with plenty of concentration. Outstanding QPR. Beautiful.

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• 2008 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Geez, this was a lot better than I thought it would be. Oh boy. Worth every penny that it costs. The aroma is intricate and layered, seductive and elegant, and tight at this stage. Lots of blackcurrant, and a noticeable but gorgeous oil and meat grease fat quality, with tobacco, musk and cigar box. Some sprinkled cocoa powder for good measure! The nose is beautiful, but the palate is nearly perfect, with a seamless, very long finish that needs to be tasted to be believed. Perfect harmony of tannins, acidity and fruit. Plenty of concentration, structure and depth. This was a stunner, a surprise and a revelation. Go buy it, and watch it kick the crap out of wines that are priced double. Even though the Winston was beautiful and more "perfect", this was my favorite of the lineup. Easily. Tour de force!

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• 2007 Frank Family Vineyards Winston Hill 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Last of the lineup, this was just beautiful. Way too tight and wound up to be drunk at this stage, so somewhat difficult to approach. Recommend hours of airtime. Nevertheless, this is pure poetry. Fine, fine blackcurrant fruit, deep floral, toast, balsamic qualities, charcoal. Certainly a very noticeable exotic quality that deserves a very high score. All of the above mentioned notes are of the finest quality. And, like the best estate or single vineyard Napa cabs, there is almost a blue quality to the fruit. Supremely high concentration of fruit, and a seamless palate, with a long, pencil lead finish. Simply stunning, but again, not nearly ready to drink. Wait three to five years to even approach, and many more to enjoy.

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