Cabernet Franc Blend

Marchesi Antinori

Solaia Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1999

Decant and pour (lots of chunky/fine sediment). A striking purplish magenta color. On the nose: Alluring perfumed nose of dark cherry, worn leather, black olives, smoked meat, herbaceous, touch of brett(bandaids). Taste: velvety, creamy, savory, structured wine with dark plum/blackberry preserve, minerals, earth, chocolate espresso, leather, and a long lingering spicy tobacco leaf finish. YUM! — 2 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Bob and 12 others liked this

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2022

Smooth, rich and creamy, medium body, slightly sweet — 14 days ago

Ted, jesus and 1 other liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Lalo jaime diego orlando adolfo MAGNUM — 2 days ago

Jan, Bob and 5 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2006

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery.
— 8 days ago

Lyle, Jan and 16 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Great note (though “note” doesn’t really begin to cover it).
David White

David White

Love Chateau Musar and its history, thank you @Jay Kline for sharing the story to the 2006

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

1 hour decant(little cloudy/fine sediment). A wondrous purplish dark garnet. On the nose: A captivating nose of dark cherry, planting soil, herbaceous, sandalwood, pencil shavings, vanilla toast. Taste: beautiful velvety tannins, juicy, balanced wine with blackberry, baking spice, dried herbs, bitter chocolate, and a long red fruit finish. YUM! — 3 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Dave and 12 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas
— 24 days ago

Peter, Paul and 23 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

The Montrose stuff is a true force of nature. That'90 vintage will outlive us all combined. Ridiculously fresh once you get past the brett.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008

OMG, berries, veg but so much going on with Booze Bros week at my beach house. Need to get some cash to buy Bordeaux again — 13 days ago

Andrew, Ted and 7 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

I bought this bottle in Florence around 2019. I later found out the shop was owned by Antinori - the producer of the wine. An excellent Super Tuscan from Bolgheri. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Dark Ruby with a tawny rim starting to develop. Classic Bordeaux descriptors of Cassis, herbs, tobacco and hints of cocoa with oak totally integrated. A rich and mouth filling palate such that it could have been from a new world vineyard in a good vintage. This is comparable in quality to a good Super Second. Interestingly the 2007 had the major change of Syrah being eliminated from the blend in favour of Cabernet Franc. An outstanding Bordeaux blend which exceeded expectations. I should keep an eye out for more bottles. — a day ago

Ted, Tom and 22 others liked this

Clos Rougeard

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2016

Outrageously haunting, complex, and undergoes an infinite development over hours showing great mineral structure, strawberry and cranberry fruit, currant, olive tapenade, bell pepper, garrigue, graphite, and a ton of soul. Not just a wine, but a semiotic wound. — 8 hours ago

Ira liked this

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend

The 2006 was worth waiting for. Harlan is such an incredible@experience The earthy and softness of this wine yet so complex and incredible. Happy anniversary to my bride and celebrating 26 years together. — 11 days ago

Jan and Dave liked this
Dave Clinton

Dave Clinton

Congrats!