Cabernet Franc Blend

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 4 days ago

Hermes, Ira and 13 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994

This is still primair. But what a big and beautiful wine! — 17 days ago

Jeroen, Jan and 13 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2004 Montrose has a slightly rustic bouquet but is quite charming. It offers mainly red fruit, bacon fat, undergrowth and peaty scents, which are very Saint-Estèphe in style. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins. It is savory and a little dry, especially towards the finish, though there is good weight, and it is well balanced. Perfect to drink now. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 22 days ago

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2019 “Isosceles” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark brambles, crème de cassis, tobacco, Fresno chilis, Mexican chocolate, dry earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This is a big, powerful wine but it’s fairly balanced. I would drink now though it probably wouldn’t struggle to see past 2029. — 14 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 8 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007

Finally had my a-ha moment with this wine (after opening a 16 too early). 07 was just beautiful - kept growing in stature over the 3 hour meal. Drank in Venice to celebrate our anniversary. — 19 days ago

Eric, Joe and 8 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

John W
9.8

deep ruby coloration. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot. On the nose; spice, forest floor, tobacco, vanilla, cherry. On the palate, full bodied, cherry, toasted coffee, chocolate, vanilla, some sea salt. Nice long finish. — 6 days ago

Billy liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2018

Extra point for drinking it at the source — 6 days ago

Paul liked this

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

2016 vintage, PNP but shoulda decanted and double-parked for 2+ hours. Pretty nose. Medium body but fleshier (St. Émilion style) than led to believe. Was nice but missing the taut balance of fruit and tannins that this producer has been so good with the last handful of vintages. 6.14.24. — 14 days ago

Bob, Ted and 16 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1995

1995 vintage. Good fill. Excellent cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and throwing a tad extra sediment…a nice mix of chunky and powdery sed. Tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours open and decanted. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and earth in the nose. These transferred over and slapped on a fudge chocolate note on the finish. In a good place now and not improving. Would seem to hold steady in this standing for another 3-4 years. 6.6.24. — 22 days ago

Lyle, Andrew and 28 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 19 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this