Freemark Abbey Decades Tasting (Feb 2025)

My favorite Napa winery. Not considered a cult but extremely consistent and good young and old. They have an amazing library and offer something called a "Decades Tasting", where they pour three vintages of Bosche and Sycamore side-by-side, from different decades.

• 2015 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Somewhat asleep at the moment, with a quiet nose and a palate dominated by tannin. But you can tell there is fruit under the covers here, and history shows this should blossom in a few years.

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• 2015 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Much more open than the 2015 Bosche. Sycamore is a bigger, earthier, more masculine wine than Bosche, but it peaks earlier. This hits like a freight train, with oceans of dark chocolate and purple fruits. A strong tannic backbone guarantees that this will continue to improve.

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• 2005 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  From a good vintage, Bosche is just starting to hit its stride at the 20-year mark. It's definitely the more feminine wine compared to Sycamore. Elegant and medium-bodied; fine fruit, tannin, and acidity provide a phenomenal balance.

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• 2005 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Now we're talking. I really like Sycamore at the 20-year mark. Licorice and bark on the nose, and then plummy dark fruit with nice acidity. Tannin is under control, but this is still a big-bodied wine with enormous amounts of dry extract, leading to one of the longest finishes I've had on a Cab. Close to or at peak for me.

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• 1995 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Spectacular wine at its peak. This could pass for an aged Richebourg or Mazis-Chambertin from a riper vintage. Tannin, fruit, and acidity are in exquisite balance, which is always the case with a good Bosche. It makes for one of Napa's best-aging Cabs.

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• 1995 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  A wild nose of licorice that approaches discontinuity. Tannin is fully resolved but the fruit fighting a bit with the other elements of the wine. Still very nice but I don't suggest holding Sycamore this long.

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