Varietal - Cabernet Franc
January 12, 2012
Cab Franc seems to produce an interesting wine in these foothills, where it shows intense cherry flavors while maintaining good acidic balance and dryness. French Hill’s is typical of the better class, showing nuances of carob, lavender and spice. Drink now.
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January 12, 2012
This bouyant red starts with red berry and spice aromas, leading into a balanced, pleasant array of red berry, black cherry and cedar on the palate. Friendly and expressive, it’s a quaffable wine for myriad occasions.
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January 12, 2012
Though soft on the finish, this is sharply herbal and stemmy, with woody flavors instead of fruit. There are traces of berry and cassis, but the nature of Cabernet Franc is to be herbal, and here it’s in full bloom.
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January 12, 2012
A heavy layer of vanilla weighs down the fruit here, which runs to fresh cherries and cherry liqueur. It’s soft in the mouth, with soft tannins and a short-to-medium finish of mixed berries. Drink now.
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January 12, 2012
Nobody is trying harder to master Cab Franc, and this noble wine continues Peju’s streak. It’s voluptuously soft, but not too soft, with enough acidity and tannins for structure. Meanwhile, the flavors are a wonder. Black currants, red and black cherries, white chocolate, sweet vanilla and an edge of smoky char, to name a few. Drink now.
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January 12, 2012
This is a wine that reflects the classically deep fruit and the vagaries of the vintage. It opens with a bit of high-toned volatility, which heightens the flavors and brightens the wine, but may attenuate the ageability. Cherries in brandy, astringent tannins, and lots of juicy acidity.
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January 12, 2012
Slightly murky, with vague aromas hinting at green beans and slightly stewed vegetables. It is certainly not a boring wine — it’s got unusual nuances of spicy clove, tart cranberry, sliced orange and mixed citrus. There is a bit more volatility than some tasters will enjoy, but also lots of chocolatey oak, hints of tobacco leaf, and thick, soft tannins.
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January 12, 2012
Grassy, smoky wine, with black plum skin tannins dominant. It has just enough warmth to balance the acidity, a wine that is black currant juicy and mineral, with a dry core.
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January 12, 2012
So why would you buy Cab Franc instead of Cab Sauvignon? Here’s why. This has the depth and seriousness of the latter, the light body of Pinot Noir, a dry, cherried richness, and none of the tannins that lots of wine lovers can’t tolerate. Plus, this wine has layers of complexity that make it a delight.
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January 12, 2012
The flavors of cherries, red currants, vanilla, licorice and smoky oak combine in this intense, California-style wine. It’s a showy red, smooth and elegantly constructed. Drink now and through 2009.
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