Still pleasant after all these years, but fading. Faint mocha notes. Similarly fruit. Medium weight, but lighter on the finish. Have a magnum left. Need to drink it.
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Superb. Drunk over two nights (in magnum). The first night (PNP), this had a slight hint of pepper when the sip first hit the palate, followed by delicious plums and ripe blackberries carried out over the long finish. On night two - remaining 1/3 bottle - this was all about silky dark fruit. Sublimely delicious, with flavor intensity and length such that it’s perhaps best enjoyed in small sips. Hard to believe it is 20 years old! Still has a long life ahead!
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Better than my previous bottle, which I had approx. 18 months ago. Wine was in a good place, with tannins, fruit and acid in balance. Oak and tannis are well integrated. While the wine is somewhat big and fruit forward, there is enough acid to keep it from being cloying. Hints of tertiaries are present - only hints though, in the form of leather and tobacco. Not enough of the floral notes typical of Cab Franc that I was hoping for. Some coffee notes, and some blue and black fruit compote. Enjoyable, if a bit one dimensional and slightly more “modern” than what I tend to prefer.
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Pop and pour, intact cork. Dark violet color with slight bricking. Nose intense, dark fruited with hint of bell pepper. Palate intense, slight peppery note with moderate herbal tobacco flavor, still tannic, some brightness on the finish. Surprisingly youthful, still chugging along. Good with a grilled steak but a dominant wine, not for the faint of heart. 91 pts
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Very nice but I would have guessed cabernet Sauvignon before cab franc. Sweet oak notes and black currants. Paired with a tenderloin and it worked beautifully.
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Considerably less to my liking than the 2000 that we had yesterday (as usual, I am not fond of the big, ripe, warm highly popular vintages in CA). This bottle was too ripe, big, jammy, fruity, cloying and sweet for my palate. Not enough herbal characteristics, not enough acidity, and I missed some Cab Franc typicity. I guess I am lucky, in that I often enjoy CA's less heralded (and more affordable) vintages (at least as handled by deft winemakers).
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Garnet colored and cloudy. On the nose, still some black fruit but a lot of secondary smells - spice, earth. Delicious right now but shows fully developed and starting a downward trend. Drink any left soon.
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in a really good place right now. had w bbq chicken. wine had really good presence, solid length, great mouthfeel and texture in the mouthfeel. combination of fruit and secondary flavors created a wine that shined w bbq flavors. enjoy this wine best with age.
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Cedar in the air and forest floor with notes of almonds from Agaricus mushroom aromas, combine with the blueberry and blackberry spice. Give it time in air, hours, and it just gets better as the rich complexity and a bouquet of floral qualities (violet, lavender, and acacia) emerge.
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Very nice. Drinking perfectly now with a few years before it will start to fade. Stored perfectly since release. Very enjoyable. Made by the hand of the master Robert Foley. Not herbal or hot at all. Just delicious. Go for it.
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Taste: Medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and chewy tannins. The structure was youthful with well balanced tones of bell peppers, asparagus, and dark red cherries.
Overall: This didn't seem like it wanted to fully come out and play. There is a very vegetal streak that is nice, but it seems more on the under-ripe side.
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Dark red color, rich sweet dark fruits with light spice on finish. Lacks a bit of complexity but fun to drink. One of the best Cabernet Francs produced in the States.
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ABV 14.1; great nose of clean earth and currant; dark currant, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, loam; menthol and a sl sharp acidity at first but you get used to it and this really works. surprisingly brilliant match with mushroom lasagna with red pepper sauce and left over chard/eggplant thrown into the sauce; i dont usually drink much for lunch but this was too good to pass up and i made up for it with an afternoon nap....the rest of you keep this world running today, will you.
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Outstanding, we really enjoyed this wine. Not sure it will get much better, nice fruit, nice lingering finish and good flavors. Might drink my last bottle sooner than later.
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My last bottle of this wine. I doubt that all Pride CFs age this well as I recall this being my favorite version of this wine in its youth as well. It looks like a couple of recent notes on CT didn't find this wine to be that great, but this bottle and another I had a few weeks back take issue with those TNs! Right now, from my cellar, it seems to be at its best with about 2 hours in the decanter. The nose is stunning with loads of dark fruits, violets, lavender, and dried herbs. Supple, well balanced, and delicious, and if the palate delivered on all of the promise of the nose instead of just most of it, this would garner even higher ratings. If I had more I would drink them very happily over the next couple of years... and I'm going to make a point of holding onto Pride CFs from good vintages for longer.
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Disappointing showing at our last wine group dinner. Monolithic. Several tasters thought it was on over the top Aussie. While I wouldn't go that far, I expected more. need to pop another one to see if this was an anomoly
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still big and brooding dark currant, plum, herb, lavender, spice; dense and not as bright as i recall but has adequate acidity; a new world cab franc but retains typicity.
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Notably improved from the bottle I drank 2 years ago. My wife even liked this, and she's very senstive to hot wines (and isn't usually a fan of cab franc).
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Pop and pour. An outstanding CF in the heart of its drinking window. I didn't start buying CF's until 2000, and I hope that others show the same ability to mature to this level of elegance. Dark fruit, muted lavendar and pepper.
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75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in French Oak. In a lively ruby colour with brown tones this one offers an elegant nose of red and black berries accompanied by a earthy mineral touch. It is ripe and round on the palate with integrated tannins and a medium length of finish.
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Kahverengi röfleli ve çok canlı olmayan yakut renginde. Burnu, yoğun olmasa da belirgin kiraz ile kırmızı ve siyah orman meyvelerinden zengin. Bunlara yeşil biber, tütün, otsu ve baharatsı notlar ile menekşe benzeri çiçeksi kokular eşlik ediyor. Orta gövdeli yapısı, güçlü tanenleri ve yüksek asidine yetecek meyveliliğe sahip olmaması dengesini olumsuz etkiliyor. Orta uzunluktaki bitişi baharatlı ve mineralsi izler bırakıyor. %75 Cabernet Franc ile %25 Merlot kupajı olan bu şarap paslanmaz çelik tanklarda fermente edildikten sonra 18 ay meşe fıçılarda dinlendirilmiş. Dünyanın önde gelen Cabernet Franc ve Cabernet Franc ağırlıklı kupajlarının yer aldığı bu kör tadımda,Sayın Aslı Odman,Sayın Can Ortabaş,Sayın Vedat Milor ve Şarap Tutkunları grubunun üyeleri hazır bulundular.
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Kahverengi röfleli ve çok canlı olmayan yakut renginde. Burnu, yoğun olmasa da belirgin kiraz ile kırmızı ve siyah orman meyvelerinden zengin. Bunlara yeşil biber, tütün, otsu ve baharatsı notlar ile menekşe benzeri çiçeksi kokular eşlik ediyor. Orta gövdeli yapısı, güçlü tanenleri ve yüksek asidine yetecek meyveliliğe sahip olmaması dengesini olumsuz etkiliyor. Orta uzunluktaki bitişi baharatlı ve mineralsi izler bırakıyor. %75 Cabernet Franc ile %25 Merlot kupajı olan bu şarap paslanmaz çelik tanklarda fermente edildikten sonra 18 ay meşe fıçılarda dinlendirilmiş. Dünyanın önde gelen Cabernet Franc ve Cabernet Franc ağırlıklı kupajlarının yer aldığı bu kör tadımda,Sayın Aslı Odman,Sayın Can Ortabaş,Sayın Vedat Milor ve Şarap Tutkunları grubunun üyeleri hazır bulundular.
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Very nice, strong fruit, but I think just on the other side of intense. Nice deep cherry, very very smooth character. If you like fruit, nows the time for this one..
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Easily one of the best Sonoma Cab Francs I've ever had. After 9 years this wine has matured into a stunning example of what this grape can be in northern California. Amazing dark balanced fruit. At first a little jammy, but after 5 minutes of being open was fully expressed with ripe tobacco, dark fruit and very light pepper. Alcohol was subdued. Tremendous amount of sediment. Bouquet began to dull after about an hour. I would suggest to drink now.
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Deep purple in the glass, unbelievably expressive bouquet of blueberries, cherry and violets! Resolved tannins, full. long finish. Very impressive wine.
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On opening very thin, simple, not at all what I would expect from a Cab Franc. Surprising in fact. A fair number of tannins left, fruit in the background. On the 3rd day nice and balanced, tannins receded allowing the fruit to shine. Excellent.
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Lovely and still a very good wine, no need to drink the better vintages of Pride Cab Franc early. Bested by the 01 Paloma this night, but that is tough competition.
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Deep ruby color. Big nose of cherry liqueur. On the palate, flavors explode -- cherries, maybe a little clove, the telltale hint of green pepper, some heat. This is big, boisterous and perhaps a little too all-over-the-place at this stage for me. Fun and impressive, but sort of one dimensional. Reminds me of a Parkerized Aussie shiraz, if that makes any sense. Seems to be at its peak or just past -- time to drink up I think.
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believe these drink better with age as they integrate get more interesting as oppose to the in your face style...this one is just getting there think it will be at is best in 1-2 years...nonetheless enjoyed the wine with BBq ribs
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I think it was Pinot Envy who brought this to dinner at her friends home last week. We drank it on their hillside deck overlooking the lights of Napa Valley with steaks that Pinto cooked on the grill. What a great match with the red meat. This was better than the 2005 that I had earlier in the week at the Pride winery. Rich with ripe juicy red fruit and cassis. I think I liked the 2002 Pride CF that I had a couple years ago slightly better but this was close. 91-92 points.
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deep garnet. Nose reminded of a rich 1990 Bordeaux. Taste was similar. The floral/fruitiness of youth is long gone, and while good, if I wanted Bordeaux I would buy Bordeaux. Good, but odd.
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I liked this more when it was younger. It had a flattering enough match with a nicely grilled ribeye. Less fruit and more woodiness than I would expect. This was better when it was all about unabashed fruit.
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Dense and delicious; almost identical to the last one almost exactly 12 months ago. Lots of deep dark berries, coffee, chocolate, pepper and mineral. Structure is balanced and big. Something to get in the mood for once in a while.
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I’ve decided that the Cabernet Franc is my favorite varietal of the regular bottlings from Pride. While made in a very different style from the Chinon, the congruences between the two Cabernet Francs became apparent when juxtaposed the way they were. The high alcohol, characteristic of all the Pride wines, made it a bit harder to pick out, but sure enough, there was that leafy deep fragrance on the nose. The Cab Franc from Pride, unlike the Merlot for example is distinctive for its core of good acidity and minerality that successfully balances the super-ripe fruit.
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Smokin' good bottle today. On the nose, blackberry, mocha and floral notes. On the palate, full-bodied and slutty, with blackberries, black cherry, mocha and cedar, with a long finish with very well integrated tannins. This put on some nice weight and gained in intensity with time in the glass, being best at about two hours from opening (not decanted).
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Popped and poured and consumed over several hours. Started out slow with floral hints, cocoa, mocha and black fruit on the nose, which became more pronouced with air. On the palate, it was rich with a nice intensity, but lacked the depth and palate presence required in extraordinary wines. The finish was nice, with some lingering tannins that still needed to be shed, but all in all a very nice Cab Franc to say the least.
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Rich purple red color. Expansive nose of candied fruit and cedar. Tastes of blackberries,black cherries,hints of coffee, chocalate,cedar and mint. Well integrated, a beautiful wine, drinking well right now.
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Drinking extraordinarily well right now. Nose is unusual, with cedar and mince pie notes that are heightened within a hot, peppery, high alcohol air. The taste, however, shows no heat or alcohol at all. Instead there is a dark, rich blast of spicy black cherry and blackberry fruit presented as a dense, mouth filling layer. Glycerin provides body to simply lip-smacking good mountain fruit flavor. Going strong now, but there is time to spare for those holding on for later days. Delish...
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($56) Lakehouse Weekend: Includes 25% Merlot. This seems to have been tamed by time. Somewhat elegant and reserved mocha and leafy dark fruit. The fruit is much less forward than as I recall upon release. Pretty good. Maybe should have had this before the Villa Creek.
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Really wonderful Cab Franc. Drinking very well right now. Pretty tannic, but really powerful and it's nice to have that big fruit, despite the tannin. Fine to drink now, or hold for a few years.
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Still hitting all cylinders for me. Rich dark berries, pepper, coffee and a hint of mint on both nose and in the mouth. Love its balance and gritty tannins. Finishes with nice acidity and a sense of mineral; no trace of being flabby or flat.
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Popped and poured after 15 minutes of air. Reluctant nose of dark fruit, some oak and tar. On the palate, tightly wound flavors of cassis, black cherry and maybe blackberry, with lots of spicy pepper. Still tannic, and the oak is certainly noticable. Longish finish of tart berry notes. This is really good stuff, but certainly would benefit from more time. Has the potential for 94-95 ultimately; demands a proper decanting if consumed in the next few years.
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TWITS Cab Franc Event (Dale's house): Nose of alcohol. Clearly a hot vintage - this is alcoholic, thick and rich. Needs many years. This is rough, and way too sweet at the same time. I found this unbalanced. Frighteningly, my 86 was likely the highest score given by a good margin at the table. John suggested a 47 on his scale of 50-100.
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Not as fruit forward as on release. The conventional wisdom is to drink these young, but this is developing very well. The fruit is a litttle more restrained, but it's developed some coffee and chocolate notes with the blueberry/cherry fruit. A little disjointed on the midpalate as I get some acids on the back. Vergy nice bottle. Maybe I'll let my Pride CF's sit a little longer from now on.
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Not quite what I was expecting, i opened and decanted. The bottle started off very weak but improved over the course of an hour or so. I recall that on the palate, it was a cross between bubble gum and pine tar (if thats possible). Definite coffee on the finish, which left something of a bitter afterbite. I love pride cab sauv, but i'm not as hot over this cab franc. Still, its quality is quite good, and merits an outstanding score.
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Not Decanted. Dark Ruby/violet. Very forward nose with dark berries and cherry, chocolate, coffee and mint. Expansive palate with a terrific balance (and quantity) of fruit, mineral, and gritty tannins that all integrate nicely. Medium long finisih.
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Eclectic tasting in Hermosillo (Hermosillo, Mexico): Not as flamboyant as the 2002. More restrained in the nose (lacking the flowery touch)and with a less opulent texture than its younger sibling. Still excellent though.
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Wow, this is great stuff, as good as any vintage of the Pride Cab Franc that I have had. Initially it was very closed, but started to open up after thirty minutes. Notes of chocolate, dark red fruit, syrupy cheery all emerged. Wonderful texture. Also showing elements of raw oak and heat at times. Firm tannins, but some nicely integrated with the fruit. Medium length finish. A textbox Pride Cab Franc and reminded me of that first bottle that I opened up back in 96. Slightly disappointing that the wine diminished and fell apart after 2 hours. It really peaked at 1 hour.
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Dark red and purple color. Nose of dark hot black fruit with the alcohol peeking out periodically. The palate was flat and unexpressive at first (30 min?) and then dense dark cassis and blueberry and spices later with some air and a little warmth -- rich rich mountain fruit, I love it. Tannins were prominent and relatively astringent throughout and contributed to a tough but long enjoyable and slightly green finish. Needs 1-3 more years at least, I think. Watch the sediment, by the way. I love spring mountain wineries (and cab franc) and have done well with Pride/Foley before so the expectations were high (and hard to meet here). Not sure I'll follow through with pride again, though. Three attempts at the tasting room were miserable experiences. This bottle was, in the end, good but the QPR was not high enough to keep me going back for more unless I get some as a gift, in which case....
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Decanted for 45 minutes. Medium to full-bodied wine that is dark ruby/purple in color. On the nose, dark fruit, floral notes, and eucalyptus. On the palate, cassis, mocha, and tea leaves. Beautifully balanced and mouth-filling glycerines abound. Fine-grained, sweet tannins end in a 30+ second finish...simply delicious. Sad that this was my only bottle!
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Excellent opaque purple/crimson color. Beautiful but subtle floral nose. Superb suppleness and smoothness texture! Wonderful plum and black currant palate. Glad I have another bottle!!
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The nose exudes red and black cherries. The taste is quite balanced and is filled with flavors of red and black cherries, casis and plum. There is still tannin and acid to allow this wine to improve over the next five years or more.
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($52) In a word, Awesome! This wine showed much better than I expected it to. Fantastic nose of toast, violets, red and black fruit. Sweet red strawberries on the palate with a gorgeous retronasal waft of flowers - something like jasmine. Delicious!
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Decanted for 40 mins and consumed over 2.5 hours. Starting to throw some VERY FINE sediment. Floral and berries abound on the nose and palate with firm but smooth tanins. Been a year since the last bottle and will wait another year for the next. Still has several years ahead of it.
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Still a very impressive glass of wine. This was consumed as a coctail while the lamb was grilling. I'm glad it went 1st the arietta with dinner was again singing.
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Wow Still a great wine. Right out of the bottle with a huge nose of violet dark fruit. On the palate medium body great attack of sweet fruit and a long sweet finish.
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I have had Pride Cab Franc on the brain since my shipment arrived from the winery this week, so I cracked this open at home for consumption with and after mustard encrusted ribeye roast. Decanted 4 hours prior to drinking, although right out of the bottle it was open and delicious. This wine has an amazing nose of blackberry, plum, brown sugar, herbal tea, and sage. The fruit is ripe and ultra-sweet, and this is exactly how it attacks the palate. Firm tannins clamp down midpalate, but certainly not overwhelmingly so. The finish is long and intense. For my tastes, this is without question the best Cab Franc I have ever had.
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Brought to dinner at Etta's with Greg & Sheila. Not decanted, just pop, pour and let it open in the Riedel Bordeaux stems I also brought with me. Wow, this wine was fantastic, the best Pride Cab Franc I have tasted. In the glass it showed stunningly purple color. The nose is spicy and extravagant with a background of cedar and some initial notes of oak and brown sugar which were quickly swallowed by the ripe fruit. The palate is initially sweet but then dominated by extravagant, exotic levels of spicy fruit with deep extract and a hint of tea leaf. The finish was initially tight with dusty, mouth drying tannins, but this opened up and smoothed out quickly in the glass. The wine was a stunning match with a black cod dish, and I was very glad that I brought a Cab Franc to a seafood restaurant.
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I ordered my 2002 Prides today, so I thought it was fitting to open this one. The nose shows intense blueberry, char, and licorice. The palate does not seem as dense as the last bottle, but it is still pretty thick. It shows loads of spice, chocolate, nutmeg, and blackbery. Best of all despite being a big wine it is in impeccable balance. It ends with a spicy tannic finish. Paired well with grilled steak.
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Dinner with Chris at Palace Kitchen. This is from memory, so I do not have all the details but what a wine. The nose was fairly closed at first but after an hour or so in the decanter it really opened to reveal caramel, black fruit, and spice. The palate, however, was most impressive because of the silky soft mouthfeel. That got better and better as it sat in the glass. The balance was also extraordinary after about an hour. After 2 hours, however, the tannins were more prominent, reminding us that it was only a 2001 and needed time.
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12/31/03 at home New Years Eve. Rich dark purple color. Nose a bit weak, faint. Palate roughhewn, tannic, but has plenty of fruit. Unfocused. Maybe just needs more time. 5-11-14-6-86/100. Hiroko-92/100.
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This is my favorite Pride wine of the vintage thus far. It is an inky purple/crimson in color, and stains the glass. The nose is huge, floral, and sweet. Black currants, blueberries, and plums mingle with pencil shavings, spice, bacon, tea, and a hint of bell pepper. The wine is full bodied and tannic, but despite its youthful strength it is extremely supple and smooth. The finish is very long and intense, with mostly sweet black fruits. This is a very well made wine from what is obviously amazing fruit. After 10 hours in the decanter, it is still on the upswing. It could easily last 10 years, but it is so enjoyable now there is little reason to hold onto it for more than a couple of years.
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Wow, this is stunningly spicy, the best Pride Cab Franc I have enjoyed. Roasted plum on the nose with tea leaf and spice on the layered, impressive palate. A lot of structure with a long, slightly herbal finish. Classic Pride brown sugar coats the whole package, delicious!
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4/18/2022 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still drinking perfectly. Great fruit and earth.
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10/17/2021 - dfcrutcher Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still pleasant after all these years, but fading. Faint mocha notes. Similarly fruit. Medium weight, but lighter on the finish. Have a magnum left. Need to drink it.
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9/3/2021 - kabert Likes this wine: 94 Points
Superb. Drunk over two nights (in magnum). The first night (PNP), this had a slight hint of pepper when the sip first hit the palate, followed by delicious plums and ripe blackberries carried out over the long finish. On night two - remaining 1/3 bottle - this was all about silky dark fruit. Sublimely delicious, with flavor intensity and length such that it’s perhaps best enjoyed in small sips. Hard to believe it is 20 years old! Still has a long life ahead!
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5/24/2020 - Warren123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderful wine. A little sweet and drank great after dinner in lieu of dessert
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11/27/2019 - JPGJUICE wrote:
Iyum
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11/27/2019 - JPGJUICE wrote:
Yum
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8/24/2018 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 91 Points
Better than my previous bottle, which I had approx. 18 months ago. Wine was in a good place, with tannins, fruit and acid in balance. Oak and tannis are well integrated. While the wine is somewhat big and fruit forward, there is enough acid to keep it from being cloying. Hints of tertiaries are present - only hints though, in the form of leather and tobacco. Not enough of the floral notes typical of Cab Franc that I was hoping for. Some coffee notes, and some blue and black fruit compote. Enjoyable, if a bit one dimensional and slightly more “modern” than what I tend to prefer.
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2/11/2018 - fred o. Likes this wine:
Pop and pour, intact cork. Dark violet color with slight bricking. Nose intense, dark fruited with hint of bell pepper. Palate intense, slight peppery note with moderate herbal tobacco flavor, still tannic, some brightness on the finish. Surprisingly youthful, still chugging along. Good with a grilled steak but a dominant wine, not for the faint of heart. 91 pts
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12/11/2017 - theharve wrote: 95 Points
relish but not close to peak. try again late '18.
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11/19/2017 - brigcampbell wrote:
Very nice but I would have guessed cabernet Sauvignon before cab franc. Sweet oak notes and black currants. Paired with a tenderloin and it worked beautifully.
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11/4/2017 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 90 Points
Considerably less to my liking than the 2000 that we had yesterday (as usual, I am not fond of the big, ripe, warm highly popular vintages in CA). This bottle was too ripe, big, jammy, fruity, cloying and sweet for my palate. Not enough herbal characteristics, not enough acidity, and I missed some Cab Franc typicity. I guess I am lucky, in that I often enjoy CA's less heralded (and more affordable) vintages (at least as handled by deft winemakers).
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5/27/2017 - srshane Likes this wine: 93 Points
Garnet colored and cloudy. On the nose, still some black fruit but a lot of secondary smells - spice, earth. Delicious right now but shows fully developed and starting a downward trend. Drink any left soon.
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2/24/2017 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
@ Vancouver Club with Rob and Jay
Dark, rich, burgundy
Amazing rich nose. Tons of BlackBerry. Anise. Sweet oak.
Silky smoth. Rich smothering dark fruit. Unbelievable structure. Great length. Dances on your tongue
MAGNUMS are better!!!!!!
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11/22/2016 - Mr T wrote:
as described recently, very nice after a 2 hour decant
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12/27/2014 - JBVino wrote:
in a really good place right now. had w bbq chicken. wine had really good presence, solid length, great mouthfeel and texture in the mouthfeel. combination of fruit and secondary flavors created a wine that shined w bbq flavors. enjoy this wine best with age.
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11/26/2014 - gsquireh Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cedar in the air and forest floor with notes of almonds from Agaricus mushroom aromas, combine with the blueberry and blackberry spice. Give it time in air, hours, and it just gets better as the rich complexity and a bouquet of floral qualities (violet, lavender, and acacia) emerge.
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11/13/2014 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice. Drinking perfectly now with a few years before it will start to fade. Stored perfectly since release. Very enjoyable. Made by the hand of the master Robert Foley. Not herbal or hot at all. Just delicious. Go for it.
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6/14/2014 - BGK810 wrote: 94 Points
Deep black cherry, earth, and lively acidity still. 30+ second finish. Delicious and still lots of life left.
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1/25/2014 - leadpencil wrote: 93 Points
Blueberry, blackberry, licorice, tobacco
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6/24/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 88 Points
Rotating Dinner Series- A Focus on Cabernet Franc (Domaine Wine Storage, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is showing more herbal with a good dose of bell peppers, asparagus, herbs, and dark red cherries. This is lacking some depth as well, but it's also showing fairly tight.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and chewy tannins. The structure was youthful with well balanced tones of bell peppers, asparagus, and dark red cherries.
Overall: This didn't seem like it wanted to fully come out and play. There is a very vegetal streak that is nice, but it seems more on the under-ripe side.
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2/24/2013 - BGK810 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a very special bottle of wine. Rich black cherry and black currant flavors, complex, with a long finish. Absolutely delicious.
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12/29/2012 - wine65 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark red color, rich sweet dark fruits with light spice on finish. Lacks a bit of complexity but fun to drink. One of the best Cabernet Francs produced in the States.
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9/28/2012 - rpenn77 wrote: flawed
This was a flawed bottle with lots of extracted raisin notes
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5/23/2012 - FLI Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very rich berry fruit. No off-putting grassy elements that can occur with franc. Maybe just a tad "hot", but overall an outstanding bottle.
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4/17/2012 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
ABV 14.1; great nose of clean earth and currant; dark currant, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, loam; menthol and a sl sharp acidity at first but you get used to it and this really works. surprisingly brilliant match with mushroom lasagna with red pepper sauce and left over chard/eggplant thrown into the sauce; i dont usually drink much for lunch but this was too good to pass up and i made up for it with an afternoon nap....the rest of you keep this world running today, will you.
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3/25/2012 - shk5157 wrote: 92 Points
Lush red fruit, chocolate
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1/24/2012 - mouton45 wrote: 92 Points
Definitely better than the last bottle. This was more of what I was expecting
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1/23/2012 - shk5157 wrote: 87 Points
disappointing for a Pride. Fruit was past its prime and lost its vibrancy and brightness; should've drunk earlier
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11/13/2011 - ejca wrote:
Outstanding, we really enjoyed this wine. Not sure it will get much better, nice fruit, nice lingering finish and good flavors. Might drink my last bottle sooner than later.
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4/23/2011 - JP Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle of this wine. I doubt that all Pride CFs age this well as I recall this being my favorite version of this wine in its youth as well. It looks like a couple of recent notes on CT didn't find this wine to be that great, but this bottle and another I had a few weeks back take issue with those TNs! Right now, from my cellar, it seems to be at its best with about 2 hours in the decanter. The nose is stunning with loads of dark fruits, violets, lavender, and dried herbs. Supple, well balanced, and delicious, and if the palate delivered on all of the promise of the nose instead of just most of it, this would garner even higher ratings. If I had more I would drink them very happily over the next couple of years... and I'm going to make a point of holding onto Pride CFs from good vintages for longer.
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3/15/2011 - robertr wrote: 90 Points
Hot and Cab Franc like first night - ate with ribeyes. Second night mellowed out and was smooth. Liked the second night better but both were good.
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3/1/2011 - mouton45 wrote: 89 Points
Disappointing showing at our last wine group dinner. Monolithic. Several tasters thought it was on over the top Aussie. While I wouldn't go that far, I expected more. need to pop another one to see if this was an anomoly
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12/31/2010 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
still big and brooding dark currant, plum, herb, lavender, spice; dense and not as bright as i recall but has adequate acidity; a new world cab franc but retains typicity.
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11/19/2010 - gsquireh wrote: 94 Points
Lavender and blueberry merge in the luscious, rich wine
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9/24/2010 - 2loyal wrote: 91 Points
Notably improved from the bottle I drank 2 years ago. My wife even liked this, and she's very senstive to hot wines (and isn't usually a fan of cab franc).
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7/19/2010 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. An outstanding CF in the heart of its drinking window. I didn't start buying CF's until 2000, and I hope that others show the same ability to mature to this level of elegance. Dark fruit, muted lavendar and pepper.
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7/17/2010 - Umay Ceviker wrote: 91 Points
75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in French Oak. In a lively ruby colour with brown tones this one offers an elegant nose of red and black berries accompanied by a earthy mineral touch. It is ripe and round on the palate with integrated tannins and a medium length of finish.
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6/17/2010 - ŞarapTutkunları wrote: 91 Points
Kahverengi röfleli ve çok canlı olmayan yakut renginde. Burnu, yoğun olmasa da belirgin kiraz ile kırmızı ve siyah orman meyvelerinden zengin. Bunlara yeşil biber, tütün, otsu ve baharatsı notlar ile menekşe benzeri çiçeksi kokular eşlik ediyor. Orta gövdeli yapısı, güçlü tanenleri ve yüksek asidine yetecek meyveliliğe sahip olmaması dengesini olumsuz etkiliyor. Orta uzunluktaki bitişi baharatlı ve mineralsi izler bırakıyor.
%75 Cabernet Franc ile %25 Merlot kupajı olan bu şarap paslanmaz çelik tanklarda fermente edildikten sonra 18 ay meşe fıçılarda dinlendirilmiş.
Dünyanın önde gelen Cabernet Franc ve Cabernet Franc ağırlıklı kupajlarının yer aldığı bu kör tadımda,Sayın Aslı Odman,Sayın Can Ortabaş,Sayın Vedat Milor ve Şarap Tutkunları grubunun üyeleri hazır bulundular.
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6/17/2010 - Ilker Ozdemir wrote: 91 Points
Kahverengi röfleli ve çok canlı olmayan yakut renginde. Burnu, yoğun olmasa da belirgin kiraz ile kırmızı ve siyah orman meyvelerinden zengin. Bunlara yeşil biber, tütün, otsu ve baharatsı notlar ile menekşe benzeri çiçeksi kokular eşlik ediyor. Orta gövdeli yapısı, güçlü tanenleri ve yüksek asidine yetecek meyveliliğe sahip olmaması dengesini olumsuz etkiliyor. Orta uzunluktaki bitişi baharatlı ve mineralsi izler bırakıyor.
%75 Cabernet Franc ile %25 Merlot kupajı olan bu şarap paslanmaz çelik tanklarda fermente edildikten sonra 18 ay meşe fıçılarda dinlendirilmiş.
Dünyanın önde gelen Cabernet Franc ve Cabernet Franc ağırlıklı kupajlarının yer aldığı bu kör tadımda,Sayın Aslı Odman,Sayın Can Ortabaş,Sayın Vedat Milor ve Şarap Tutkunları grubunun üyeleri hazır bulundular.
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6/12/2010 - afitzhugh wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, strong fruit, but I think just on the other side of intense. Nice deep cherry, very very smooth character. If you like fruit, nows the time for this one..
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5/16/2010 - skinnydave wrote: 96 Points
Easily one of the best Sonoma Cab Francs I've ever had. After 9 years this wine has matured into a stunning example of what this grape can be in northern California. Amazing dark balanced fruit. At first a little jammy, but after 5 minutes of being open was fully expressed with ripe tobacco, dark fruit and very light pepper. Alcohol was subdued. Tremendous amount of sediment. Bouquet began to dull after about an hour. I would suggest to drink now.
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4/3/2010 - subir wrote: 95 Points
Deep purple in the glass, unbelievably expressive bouquet of blueberries, cherry and violets! Resolved tannins, full. long finish. Very impressive wine.
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3/6/2010 - bcmatthias wrote: 92 Points
Needed time to open, but then was very good. Red fruit.
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2/7/2010 - shk5157 wrote: 91 Points
big berry fruit, not as chocolately as other Pride Cab Francs
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2/6/2010 - afitzhugh wrote: 90 Points
On opening very thin, simple, not at all what I would expect from a Cab Franc. Surprising in fact. A fair number of tannins left, fruit in the background. On the 3rd day nice and balanced, tannins receded allowing the fruit to shine. Excellent.
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1/29/2010 - AlexHop wrote: 94 Points
Huge fruit. Like many classic pride wines it excapes the typical expectation for a cab franc. Cherry, oak, and a long finish.
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12/1/2009 - shk5157 wrote: 90 Points
soft berry fruit, quite a bit of sediment
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10/30/2009 - Venezia wrote: 92 Points
drinking great now. vanilla,tobacco and pepper. fantastic.
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7/2/2009 - fisk15 wrote:
Lovely and still a very good wine, no need to drink the better vintages of Pride Cab Franc early. Bested by the 01 Paloma this night, but that is tough competition.
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6/15/2009 - tshields wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely great. Drinking well, integrated, long finish. A favorite.
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5/30/2009 - rsepulve wrote: 92 Points
Drinking at its peak.
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3/28/2009 - soyhead wrote: 92 Points
Nose of tobacco and herbs. Mouth - very nicely balanced dark fruit and vegetable flavors. Very open. Ready to drink.
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1/10/2009 - zimmy07 wrote: 92 Points
dark cherries, violets, mocha, and some baking spice. Really well balanced and rounded out nicely. very good
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11/13/2008 - TheOtherPoster wrote: 89 Points
Very good, but it ain't what it was a year ago. Drink up.
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8/4/2008 - KevinS wrote: 92 Points
Deep ruby color. Big nose of cherry liqueur. On the palate, flavors explode -- cherries, maybe a little clove, the telltale hint of green pepper, some heat. This is big, boisterous and perhaps a little too all-over-the-place at this stage for me. Fun and impressive, but sort of one dimensional. Reminds me of a Parkerized Aussie shiraz, if that makes any sense. Seems to be at its peak or just past -- time to drink up I think.
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6/21/2008 - 2loyal wrote: 89 Points
Pretty nose, but the alcohol overshadowed the fruit to some degree. Otherwise smooth and tasty.
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4/26/2008 - JBVino wrote:
believe these drink better with age as they integrate get more interesting as oppose to the in your face style...this one is just getting there think it will be at is best in 1-2 years...nonetheless enjoyed the wine with BBq ribs
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4/16/2008 - Eric wrote:
Somewhat subdued but drinking very smoothly. This was my last, and I would recommend drinking up, as I think this is in decline.
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3/20/2008 - Vino Me wrote: 91 Points
I think it was Pinot Envy who brought this to dinner at her friends home last week. We drank it on their hillside deck overlooking the lights of Napa Valley with steaks that Pinto cooked on the grill. What a great match with the red meat. This was better than the 2005 that I had earlier in the week at the Pride winery. Rich with ripe juicy red fruit and cassis. I think I liked the 2002 Pride CF that I had a couple years ago slightly better but this was close. 91-92 points.
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2/22/2008 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 91 Points
deep garnet. Nose reminded of a rich 1990 Bordeaux. Taste was similar. The floral/fruitiness of youth is long gone, and while good, if I wanted Bordeaux I would buy Bordeaux. Good, but odd.
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2/11/2008 - bgillman wrote: 90 Points
Terrific - good body...
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1/28/2008 - ejca wrote:
good fruit, a bit of oak, enjoyed. Did get a little better over time but not much. Very good bottle.
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1/24/2008 - Eric wrote: 87 Points
I liked this more when it was younger. It had a flattering enough match with a nicely grilled ribeye. Less fruit and more woodiness than I would expect. This was better when it was all about unabashed fruit.
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1/3/2008 - zimmy07 wrote: 90 Points
black berry and blue berry, chocolate, and spice. Good balance. Not as impressive as the 2002, but still a good wine.
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12/21/2007 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours.
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11/25/2007 - thomaskeil wrote: 92 Points
Dense and delicious; almost identical to the last one almost exactly 12 months ago. Lots of deep dark berries, coffee, chocolate, pepper and mineral. Structure is balanced and big. Something to get in the mood for once in a while.
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11/7/2007 - LoireFan wrote: 91 Points
No longer my style of wine, but I can see others loving this 95+ pts. Good balance and not showing signs of declining.
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10/7/2007 - TheOtherPoster wrote: 92 Points
No formal TN, but this is drinking terrifically right now. Go for it if you have some left.
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9/5/2007 - CSteefel wrote: 90 Points
I’ve decided that the Cabernet Franc is my favorite varietal of the regular bottlings from Pride. While made in a very different style from the Chinon, the congruences between the two Cabernet Francs became apparent when juxtaposed the way they were. The high alcohol, characteristic of all the Pride wines, made it a bit harder to pick out, but sure enough, there was that leafy deep fragrance on the nose. The Cab Franc from Pride, unlike the Merlot for example is distinctive for its core of good acidity and minerality that successfully balances the super-ripe fruit.
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8/26/2007 - SacredCow wrote: 94 Points
Smokin' good bottle today. On the nose, blackberry, mocha and floral notes. On the palate, full-bodied and slutty, with blackberries, black cherry, mocha and cedar, with a long finish with very well integrated tannins. This put on some nice weight and gained in intensity with time in the glass, being best at about two hours from opening (not decanted).
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8/12/2007 - cck wrote: flawed
Stemmy, green. How did I pick up two off bottles of this in my 3 pack? High expecations cut short.
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5/29/2007 - drinkwinedaily wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured and consumed over several hours. Started out slow with floral hints, cocoa, mocha and black fruit on the nose, which became more pronouced with air. On the palate, it was rich with a nice intensity, but lacked the depth and palate presence required in extraordinary wines. The finish was nice, with some lingering tannins that still needed to be shed, but all in all a very nice Cab Franc to say the least.
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5/14/2007 - lpollack wrote: 93 Points
Rich purple red color. Expansive nose of candied fruit and cedar. Tastes of blackberries,black cherries,hints of coffee, chocalate,cedar and mint. Well integrated, a beautiful wine, drinking well right now.
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5/13/2007 - conadoc wrote: 95 Points
Large scaled nose, wonderful full robe of fruit and slight spice. Fully mature, long palate
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4/29/2007 - AlanC wrote: 93 Points
Drinking extraordinarily well right now. Nose is unusual, with cedar and mince pie notes that are heightened within a hot, peppery, high alcohol air. The taste, however, shows no heat or alcohol at all. Instead there is a dark, rich blast of spicy black cherry and blackberry fruit presented as a dense, mouth filling layer. Glycerin provides body to simply lip-smacking good mountain fruit flavor. Going strong now, but there is time to spare for those holding on for later days. Delish...
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3/10/2007 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($56) Lakehouse Weekend: Includes 25% Merlot. This seems to have been tamed by time. Somewhat elegant and reserved mocha and leafy dark fruit. The fruit is much less forward than as I recall upon release. Pretty good. Maybe should have had this before the Villa Creek.
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12/22/2006 - ml wrote: 94 Points
Really wonderful Cab Franc. Drinking very well right now. Pretty tannic, but really powerful and it's nice to have that big fruit, despite the tannin. Fine to drink now, or hold for a few years.
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11/25/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 92 Points
Still hitting all cylinders for me. Rich dark berries, pepper, coffee and a hint of mint on both nose and in the mouth. Love its balance and gritty tannins. Finishes with nice acidity and a sense of mineral; no trace of being flabby or flat.
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9/11/2006 - Mr T wrote: 92 Points
very nice w/ lamb. popped and poured at cellar temp
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8/19/2006 - KevinS wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured after 15 minutes of air. Reluctant nose of dark fruit, some oak and tar. On the palate, tightly wound flavors of cassis, black cherry and maybe blackberry, with lots of spicy pepper. Still tannic, and the oak is certainly noticable. Longish finish of tart berry notes. This is really good stuff, but certainly would benefit from more time. Has the potential for 94-95 ultimately; demands a proper decanting if consumed in the next few years.
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7/11/2006 - trankin wrote: 86 Points
TWITS Cab Franc Event (Dale's house): Nose of alcohol. Clearly a hot vintage - this is alcoholic, thick and rich. Needs many years. This is rough, and way too sweet at the same time. I found this unbalanced. Frighteningly, my 86 was likely the highest score given by a good margin at the table. John suggested a 47 on his scale of 50-100.
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6/26/2006 - irish87 wrote: 92 Points
Not as fruit forward as on release. The conventional wisdom is to drink these young, but this is developing very well. The fruit is a litttle more restrained, but it's developed some coffee and chocolate notes with the blueberry/cherry fruit. A little disjointed on the midpalate as I get some acids on the back. Vergy nice bottle. Maybe I'll let my Pride CF's sit a little longer from now on.
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4/8/2006 - concorde wrote: 90 Points
Not quite what I was expecting, i opened and decanted. The bottle started off very weak but improved over the course of an hour or so. I recall that on the palate, it was a cross between bubble gum and pine tar (if thats possible). Definite coffee on the finish, which left something of a bitter afterbite. I love pride cab sauv, but i'm not as hot over this cab franc. Still, its quality is quite good, and merits an outstanding score.
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4/2/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 92 Points
Not Decanted. Dark Ruby/violet. Very forward nose with dark berries and cherry, chocolate, coffee and mint. Expansive palate with a terrific balance (and quantity) of fruit, mineral, and gritty tannins that all integrate nicely. Medium long finisih.
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3/31/2006 - hcampana wrote: 91 Points
Eclectic tasting in Hermosillo (Hermosillo, Mexico): Not as flamboyant as the 2002. More restrained in the nose (lacking the flowery touch)and with a less opulent texture than its younger sibling. Still excellent though.
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3/16/2006 - Mark wrote: 93 Points
Wow, this is great stuff, as good as any vintage of the Pride Cab Franc that I have had. Initially it was very closed, but started to open up after thirty minutes. Notes of chocolate, dark red fruit, syrupy cheery all emerged. Wonderful texture. Also showing elements of raw oak and heat at times. Firm tannins, but some nicely integrated with the fruit. Medium length finish. A textbox Pride Cab Franc and reminded me of that first bottle that I opened up back in 96. Slightly disappointing that the wine diminished and fell apart after 2 hours. It really peaked at 1 hour.
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12/25/2005 - Calistoga wrote:
Dark red and purple color. Nose of dark hot black fruit with the alcohol peeking out periodically. The palate was flat and unexpressive at first (30 min?) and then dense dark cassis and blueberry and spices later with some air and a little warmth -- rich rich mountain fruit, I love it. Tannins were prominent and relatively astringent throughout and contributed to a tough but long enjoyable and slightly green finish. Needs 1-3 more years at least, I think. Watch the sediment, by the way. I love spring mountain wineries (and cab franc) and have done well with Pride/Foley before so the expectations were high (and hard to meet here). Not sure I'll follow through with pride again, though. Three attempts at the tasting room were miserable experiences. This bottle was, in the end, good but the QPR was not high enough to keep me going back for more unless I get some as a gift, in which case....
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12/10/2005 - DFC wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 45 minutes. Medium to full-bodied wine that is dark ruby/purple in color. On the nose, dark fruit, floral notes, and eucalyptus. On the palate, cassis, mocha, and tea leaves. Beautifully balanced and mouth-filling glycerines abound. Fine-grained, sweet tannins end in a 30+ second finish...simply delicious. Sad that this was my only bottle!
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10/22/2005 - sweetda1 wrote: 93 Points
Excellent opaque purple/crimson color. Beautiful but subtle floral nose. Superb suppleness and smoothness texture! Wonderful plum and black currant palate. Glad I have another bottle!!
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10/17/2005 - johnwine wrote: 93 Points
The nose exudes red and black cherries. The taste is quite balanced and is filled with flavors of red and black cherries, casis and plum. There is still tannin and acid to allow this wine to improve over the next five years or more.
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7/5/2005 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($52) In a word, Awesome! This wine showed much better than I expected it to. Fantastic nose of toast, violets, red and black fruit. Sweet red strawberries on the palate with a gorgeous retronasal waft of flowers - something like jasmine. Delicious!
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5/3/2005 - LoireFan wrote: 91 Points
Drank over a couple of days. Very good wine but was expecting better.
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4/30/2005 - JD80 wrote:
Drank down in CR for Grandpa's 88th bday. Big, jammy wine. Thick. Nice nose. Enjoyed it...
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4/22/2005 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 40 mins and consumed over 2.5 hours. Starting to throw some VERY FINE sediment. Floral and berries abound on the nose and palate with firm but smooth tanins. Been a year since the last bottle and will wait another year for the next. Still has several years ahead of it.
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3/27/2005 - Mike V wrote: 93 Points
Still a very impressive glass of wine. This was consumed as a coctail while the lamb was grilling. I'm glad it went 1st the arietta with dinner was again singing.
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1/8/2005 - Mike V wrote: 94 Points
Wow Still a great wine. Right out of the bottle with a huge nose of violet dark fruit. On the palate medium body great attack of sweet fruit and a long sweet finish.
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12/3/2004 - JFish wrote: flawed
Corked.
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10/22/2004 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Reticent, licorice nose; complex, tasty, meaty, licorice, spicy palate; medium-plus finish
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5/15/2004 - JP wrote: 95 Points
I have had Pride Cab Franc on the brain since my shipment arrived from the winery this week, so I cracked this open at home for consumption with and after mustard encrusted ribeye roast. Decanted 4 hours prior to drinking, although right out of the bottle it was open and delicious. This wine has an amazing nose of blackberry, plum, brown sugar, herbal tea, and sage. The fruit is ripe and ultra-sweet, and this is exactly how it attacks the palate. Firm tannins clamp down midpalate, but certainly not overwhelmingly so. The finish is long and intense. For my tastes, this is without question the best Cab Franc I have ever had.
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4/24/2004 - Eric wrote: 94 Points
Brought to dinner at Etta's with Greg & Sheila. Not decanted, just pop, pour and let it open in the Riedel Bordeaux stems I also brought with me. Wow, this wine was fantastic, the best Pride Cab Franc I have tasted. In the glass it showed stunningly purple color. The nose is spicy and extravagant with a background of cedar and some initial notes of oak and brown sugar which were quickly swallowed by the ripe fruit. The palate is initially sweet but then dominated by extravagant, exotic levels of spicy fruit with deep extract and a hint of tea leaf. The finish was initially tight with dusty, mouth drying tannins, but this opened up and smoothed out quickly in the glass. The wine was a stunning match with a black cod dish, and I was very glad that I brought a Cab Franc to a seafood restaurant.
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4/21/2004 - Jason wrote: 92 Points
I ordered my 2002 Prides today, so I thought it was fitting to open this one. The nose shows intense blueberry, char, and licorice. The palate does not seem as dense as the last bottle, but it is still pretty thick. It shows loads of spice, chocolate, nutmeg, and blackbery. Best of all despite being a big wine it is in impeccable balance. It ends with a spicy tannic finish. Paired well with grilled steak.
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1/15/2004 - Jason wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with Chris at Palace Kitchen. This is from memory, so I do not have all the details but what a wine. The nose was fairly closed at first but after an hour or so in the decanter it really opened to reveal caramel, black fruit, and spice. The palate, however, was most impressive because of the silky soft mouthfeel. That got better and better as it sat in the glass. The balance was also extraordinary after about an hour. After 2 hours, however, the tannins were more prominent, reminding us that it was only a 2001 and needed time.
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12/31/2003 - MicklethePickle wrote: 86 Points
2001 Pride Cabernet Franc
12/31/03 at home New Years Eve. Rich dark purple color. Nose a bit weak, faint. Palate roughhewn, tannic, but has plenty of fruit. Unfocused. Maybe just needs more time. 5-11-14-6-86/100. Hiroko-92/100.
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12/31/2003 - JP wrote: 94 Points
This is my favorite Pride wine of the vintage thus far. It is an inky purple/crimson in color, and stains the glass. The nose is huge, floral, and sweet. Black currants, blueberries, and plums mingle with pencil shavings, spice, bacon, tea, and a hint of bell pepper. The wine is full bodied and tannic, but despite its youthful strength it is extremely supple and smooth. The finish is very long and intense, with mostly sweet black fruits. This is a very well made wine from what is obviously amazing fruit. After 10 hours in the decanter, it is still on the upswing. It could easily last 10 years, but it is so enjoyable now there is little reason to hold onto it for more than a couple of years.
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12/11/2003 - Eric wrote: 93 Points
Wow, this is stunningly spicy, the best Pride Cab Franc I have enjoyed. Roasted plum on the nose with tea leaf and spice on the layered, impressive palate. A lot of structure with a long, slightly herbal finish. Classic Pride brown sugar coats the whole package, delicious!
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6/3/2003 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($52) Honeymoon in the Wine Country: Violets, blackberry, cassis, Cocoa. Lush, silky open and approachable. Raspberry finish. Yummy!
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