Nice nose but somewhat reticent for a cab franc. More blackberry on nose than any other fruit with some earth. Blackberry continues on first taste and turns to cassis. Slight sweetness throughout but not in an unpleasant jammy way. As it opens up, much more mocha notes come through. Lighter than expected and had decent sediment. Probably time to consume though purple tinged color suggests it can go a fair amount longer.
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This wine took probably 30 minutes to find its footing. When it did, it was brambleberry and dirty red cherry with floral notes on the front and matured red fruit finish. A nice Easter wine which paired well with smoked almonds, hazelnuts and there were even a few that were snacking on the Hershey's kisses to see how it paired with THAT. Decided to open the wine tonight, and really this wine probably is in the wheelhouse for performance. Drink now or over the next 10 years.
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Medium nose with berries. Soft and supple on entry with medium-plus body; fruit forward leaning toward red fruits (strawberry?) with a hint of darker berry, star anise, espresso and pencil lead. Medium length finish that is very smooth. Just a hint of heat/alcohol that reminds you it is Napa but it’s not overdone. This is good now but still quite young. The iron fist with a velvet glove cliche would be fitting.
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How refreshing to have a Napa cab franc that is not green, not tannic and not tasting like green peppers. This is a smooth, fruit-laden, soft edged wine. People who have never had a good cab franc are really missing something if they miss out on this wine.
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The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), cherry, plum, stoniness, light toast, oak and vanilla. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
Saw the recent reviews of this and had to pull one out for myself. Really delicious wine, smells a bit sweet initially after opening the bottle, but really great on the taste
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In a very good window right now. The wotn for us last night. Rich mouthfeel and strong red fruit. Tannins are beginning to blend in nicely. Just a beautiful Cali franc.
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One of the better, cleaner cab francs I've had in the past few years. Having said that it does take a little while to burn off the alcohol when popped and poured. After 30-60 min in the glass it goes down pretty well. Lots of red fruit, strawberry, raspberry. Tannins are very mild, especially for a franc. No sharp edges. This might be really, really good in another 5 years.
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First let me say that I think this wine is too young over 2-3 hours, more fruit with some red but mostly black/blue fruit with oak influence (not overly oaky) now, but, it needs some time to come together. Therefore my score reflects the wine at this point. I would come back in 3-5 yrs.
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1/14/2024 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
W lambchops from grill. Great cabfranc but tough to stand up against the chops. Good fruit an herbs, medium weight and good length. Good bottle.
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7/11/2023 - gstutz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice nose but somewhat reticent for a cab franc. More blackberry on nose than any other fruit with some earth. Blackberry continues on first taste and turns to cassis. Slight sweetness throughout but not in an unpleasant jammy way. As it opens up, much more mocha notes come through. Lighter than expected and had decent sediment. Probably time to consume though purple tinged color suggests it can go a fair amount longer.
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4/18/2022 - mflesh wrote:
This wine took probably 30 minutes to find its footing. When it did, it was brambleberry and dirty red cherry with floral notes on the front and matured red fruit finish. A nice Easter wine which paired well with smoked almonds, hazelnuts and there were even a few that were snacking on the Hershey's kisses to see how it paired with THAT. Decided to open the wine tonight, and really this wine probably is in the wheelhouse for performance. Drink now or over the next 10 years.
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4/22/2021 - Pattersonwine Likes this wine:
Love this wine!
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3/16/2020 - GJVines wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful floral nose. Good, smooth drinking, short finish. 45 minute decant. Good with some lasagna, and also after dinner by itself.
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11/29/2019 - bobby a Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinkng very nice, Cherry flavors.
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10/16/2019 - emf Likes this wine:
Lots of fruit, no green. Dense , mouth filling, juicy, very good.
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9/20/2019 - GJVines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Favorite of a blind tasting with four friends of "different" Napa varietals (i.e., not a Cab, Merlot, or Pinot).
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8/13/2019 - Wine Gopher wrote: 93 Points
Medium nose with berries. Soft and supple on entry with medium-plus body; fruit forward leaning toward red fruits (strawberry?) with a hint of darker berry, star anise, espresso and pencil lead. Medium length finish that is very smooth. Just a hint of heat/alcohol that reminds you it is Napa but it’s not overdone. This is good now but still quite young. The iron fist with a velvet glove cliche would be fitting.
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11/7/2018 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 92 Points
How refreshing to have a Napa cab franc that is not green, not tannic and not tasting like green peppers. This is a smooth, fruit-laden, soft edged wine. People who have never had a good cab franc are really missing something if they miss out on this wine.
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11/7/2018 - ivsimler Likes this wine: 89 Points
Yes please. I'll take more
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10/26/2018 - Rsjo wrote: 94 Points
Great wine. Really good balance - acidity, tannins. Fruit forward with some pepper and espresso. So glad we have 3 more bottles to see how it ages.
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6/16/2018 - junetoaugust Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), cherry, plum, stoniness, light toast, oak and vanilla. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
Saw the recent reviews of this and had to pull one out for myself. Really delicious wine, smells a bit sweet initially after opening the bottle, but really great on the taste
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5/26/2018 - Wgecko wrote: 96 Points
Mellow nose, dark fruit, well balanced, light tannins. Bit of fruit forward, taste is close to perfection. Loved this wine, good friends good wine.
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5/26/2018 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a very good window right now. The wotn for us last night. Rich mouthfeel and strong red fruit. Tannins are beginning to blend in nicely. Just a beautiful Cali franc.
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5/13/2018 - kandrfairview Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really good
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11/21/2017 - ivsimler wrote: 91 Points
Yup. Good. Go figure.
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5/1/2017 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 90 Points
One of the better, cleaner cab francs I've had in the past few years. Having said that it does take a little while to burn off the alcohol when popped and poured. After 30-60 min in the glass it goes down pretty well. Lots of red fruit, strawberry, raspberry. Tannins are very mild, especially for a franc. No sharp edges. This might be really, really good in another 5 years.
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12/13/2016 - PANYC Likes this wine: 90 Points
First let me say that I think this wine is too young over 2-3 hours, more fruit with some red but mostly black/blue fruit with oak influence (not overly oaky) now, but, it needs some time to come together. Therefore my score reflects the wine at this point. I would come back in 3-5 yrs.
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