100% Cabernet Franc. 13.0% Abv. Run by third generation Albert Sarrail & Gaelle Guillaud.
A(ccuracy)=2: Med deep garnet. Ripe, mature, varietal. B(alance)=2: Generous fruit, firm acid, resolved tannin. Picked up weight with some loss of vibrancy. C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, earth, tobacco, spice. D(epth)=1: Full and round, bit monolithic.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,1] = 7/10
Better a couple of years earlier. Became heavier and bit dull with bottle age, quite typical of Sud de France reds.
Liked the '13 more--fresher perhaps and had added depth. In any case, the mid-weight, peppery and black cherry qualities come through nicely. Clear varietal character. Enough structure and weight to drink seriously, but finish is average. Should watch to pick up as near to vintage as possible in future.
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A really excellent 100% cab franc at a true bargain price. Bone dry and light, but with an ethereal, almost sweet bouquet and complex vegetal notes that make it seem like a much more expensive bottle. Pleasant but significant tannins suggest it may continue to improve. Sealed with a Nomacorc.
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Excellent Cabernet Franc. People keep talking about berries, but I get a strong taste of grape- like Concord grape without any sweetness. It's a lighter colored red (violet) wine and is very crisp and refreshing. It is pleasant to drink by itself and is great complement to sweet tomato based food. This last bottle I had with cabbage soup with a tomato juice base and other vegetables. It was also good with sloppy joes and chili. It holds up to the strong flavors but is a refreshing contrast to the heaviness of these foods. The finish is very dry, but not ass-puckering. Then, the delightful freshness takes over and stays with you. Great wine at any price, but for 10 bucks it's a steal. From the other reviews and the dates of tasting, I would like to try this in a year. It sounds like it may continue to improve.
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This is a quality Cab Franc -- on par with a Loire Chinon or St. Nicholas. It has surprising complexity and development for a wine at this price. Intense purple color, really nice mouth feel. Finish with just a hint of tannins. Great food paring wine (roast pork, grilled meats). Liked it so much I just scored another case!
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Darker purple color; lots of blueberry, cinnamon, clove, finishing with decent acid then a grainy tannin; very correct Cab Franc in a price that is very palatable.
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$11 and you'd never know it. Touch of vanillin but otherwise is free of spoof - just 100% cab franc that tastes like Bordeaux. Tinges of herbs, bell pepper and styled for early drinking. Really solid wine for the price.
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Nice, soft easy drinking wine. Has that feeling that I think is the result of some or all whole cluster fermentation. It definitely stained the glass purple. There is lots to like here. Though soft and young, there is some backbone and serious moth feel. Dark purple color. Lively, nose with flowers and fruit. There is some spicy, meaty blackberry fruit followed with red raspberry in the background. Solid acidity. Respectable finish with gritty tannins, black fruit and a touch of earth.
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Dark purple core with ruby purple rim; ripe nose of blue and dark fruit, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and tree bark, plush; soft tannin, round, blue and dark fruit, a little alcohol is noticeable on the finish; good, especially for the price.
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One of the best <$10 reds I have ever had. Medium bodied, good fruit and balance. Some complexity. Easy to drink. Tastes more like a good quality Bordeaux in the $20 range. Highly recommended.
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10/25/2017 - WineTally Likes this wine:
100% Cabernet Franc.
13.0% Abv.
Run by third generation Albert Sarrail & Gaelle Guillaud.
A(ccuracy)=2: Med deep garnet. Ripe, mature, varietal.
B(alance)=2: Generous fruit, firm acid, resolved tannin. Picked up weight with some loss of vibrancy.
C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, earth, tobacco, spice.
D(epth)=1: Full and round, bit monolithic.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,1] = 7/10
Better a couple of years earlier. Became heavier and bit dull with bottle age, quite typical of Sud de France reds.
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10/17/2015 - Cabfrancophile wrote: 86 Points
Liked the '13 more--fresher perhaps and had added depth. In any case, the mid-weight, peppery and black cherry qualities come through nicely. Clear varietal character. Enough structure and weight to drink seriously, but finish is average. Should watch to pick up as near to vintage as possible in future.
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11/13/2014 - soychick wrote: 90 Points
A really excellent 100% cab franc at a true bargain price. Bone dry and light, but with an ethereal, almost sweet bouquet and complex vegetal notes that make it seem like a much more expensive bottle. Pleasant but significant tannins suggest it may continue to improve. Sealed with a Nomacorc.
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10/20/2014 - Hiseitz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent Cabernet Franc. People keep talking about berries, but I get a strong taste of grape- like Concord grape without any sweetness. It's a lighter colored red (violet) wine and is very crisp and refreshing. It is pleasant to drink by itself and is great complement to sweet tomato based food. This last bottle I had with cabbage soup with a tomato juice base and other vegetables. It was also good with sloppy joes and chili. It holds up to the strong flavors but is a refreshing contrast to the heaviness of these foods. The finish is very dry, but not ass-puckering. Then, the delightful freshness takes over and stays with you. Great wine at any price, but for 10 bucks it's a steal. From the other reviews and the dates of tasting, I would like to try this in a year. It sounds like it may continue to improve.
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7/24/2014 - blester wrote: 86 Points
Medium weight soft pleasant tannis, good acidity, little disappointing on the finish, could be more robust
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7/20/2014 - jeffhovis Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is a quality Cab Franc -- on par with a Loire Chinon or St. Nicholas. It has surprising complexity and development for a wine at this price. Intense purple color, really nice mouth feel. Finish with just a hint of tannins. Great food paring wine (roast pork, grilled meats). Liked it so much I just scored another case!
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4/17/2014 - michigan dogs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great qpr, I would have thought it was much more expensive, don't be fooled by price, give it a try.
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4/5/2014 - nappies wrote:
Great wine. Heavy but no strong tannins.
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3/8/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Darker purple color; lots of blueberry, cinnamon, clove, finishing with decent acid then a grainy tannin; very correct Cab Franc in a price that is very palatable.
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1/19/2014 - spacewrangler wrote:
$11 and you'd never know it. Touch of vanillin but otherwise is free of spoof - just 100% cab franc that tastes like Bordeaux. Tinges of herbs, bell pepper and styled for early drinking. Really solid wine for the price.
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11/23/2013 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 87 Points
Nice, soft easy drinking wine. Has that feeling that I think is the result of some or all whole cluster fermentation. It definitely stained the glass purple. There is lots to like here. Though soft and young, there is some backbone and serious moth feel. Dark purple color. Lively, nose with flowers and fruit. There is some spicy, meaty blackberry fruit followed with red raspberry in the background. Solid acidity. Respectable finish with gritty tannins, black fruit and a touch of earth.
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8/30/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
Dark purple core with ruby purple rim; ripe nose of blue and dark fruit, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and tree bark, plush; soft tannin, round, blue and dark fruit, a little alcohol is noticeable on the finish; good, especially for the price.
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7/29/2013 - Orlandus wrote: 90 Points
One of the best <$10 reds I have ever had. Medium bodied, good fruit and balance. Some complexity. Easy to drink. Tastes more like a good quality Bordeaux in the $20 range. Highly recommended.
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7/17/2013 - chcook Likes this wine:
Quick note. Fabulous value at $10. Medium weight, great cab franc fruit with nice polish.
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6/9/2013 - mmcdds wrote: 84 Points
100% Cabernet Franc. Light and fairly simple, but enjoyable for a n $8 bottle of wine.
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