2014 Horton Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 87.3 points

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  7/23/2016 - tomzan48 Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Second group tasting of Va vs. NJ varietals. Everyone like this better than the NJ Cabernet Franc although the NJ was a little younger.

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  7/14/2016 - tomzan48 Likes this wine: 85 Points

  Compared to NJ Cabernet Franc at group wine tasting. The group enjoyed both with no real preference between the two.

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  6/4/2016 - armchairsommelier wrote: 88 Points

  A blend of 79% Cabernet Franc, 14% Tannat, and 7% Merlot. Yep, Tannat. Winemaker, Michael Henry says Tannat is his secret weapon in this wine. And it definitely provides some interesting structure and oomph. Fermented in 100% stainless steel, and then barrel aged (with new and once-used American & French oak) for 8 months. Ripe red fruits, rose petals, cinnamon, chocolate, tobacco and pepper. Some lovely toasted coconut on the finish. The tell-tale characteristic (at least in my mind) of Virginia Cabernet Franc is green pepper and herbs, and nearly absent in this wine. I don’t usually find myself hoarding Cabernet Franc as a stand-alone variety, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this wine. I bought two bottles to take home and rest in my cellar. Retail = $15. If there’s such thing as a bargain Virginia red, this is it.

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  2/25/2016 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 88 Points

  #VaWineChat - Horton: Vibrant ruby color. Wow, these aromas are kicking. Such freshness in the fruit (strawberry, red currant, tart cherries), but also plenty of tobacco, pepper, sage, sweet clove, black licorice. Wow, so much to contemplate in here. Medium-bodied, quite sturdy on the tannic structure – impressive in its grip, but it shows a lot of freshness as well. A very pretty wine despite it wiry tannic structure and earthy, savory flavors. Juicy black cherries, tart red currant fruit, which is doused with smoke, spicy clove and cinnamon, tar, rose petals. Opens up a lot with air and could age quite well, I think. Spent six months in French, American and Hungarian oak. Includes a dash of Tannat.

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