This Argentinian Cabernet Franc is still young, but already enjoyable even by itself.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, tobacco leaf, Mediterranean spices, vegetables, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Nice finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. A tiny production of only 300 bottles.
14.4% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$37. — 2 years ago
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple in color with a wide purplish rim.
Strong nose of black plums, cooked cherries, currents, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, light earth, peppercorn, mediterranean spices and dark chocolates.
Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, raspberries, sweet strawberries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and peppercorn.
Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 7 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is fruit forward and rich. Elegant and complex with a soft mouthfeel.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, when more red fruits show up.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
I had this vintage 4 years ago, and the nose is much nicer now. Really enjoyed it once it opened up.
This Single Vineyard is spicy and entertaining. Tangy and interesting. Feels like a Napa Merlot, with a Right Bank Bordeaux twist.
Tasty, and good by itself or with food.
A tiny production of only 300 bottles.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$100. — 7 months ago
It’s time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here's a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend.
Full bodied with medium acidity and elegant.
Dry and very fruity on the palate.
Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, cola, light herbs, Mediterranean spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, graphite and light dark coffee.
This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant, thick and fruit forward.
Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.
Showing great complexity, although still young, and drinking very nicely right out of the bottle.
This 2016 was a great vintage and it is definitely showing. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.
Soft and smooth. Rich and extracted. Delicious . I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, and will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. Made by Russell Bevan.
15.2% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$300. — 3 years ago
Began in 1944, Mario Incisa acquired Cab Sauv & Franc vine cuttings, planted them on San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello, Sassicaia, "the place of many stones". A blend of 85% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc. Lovely ripe fruit & spice aromas. Bold berry fruit flavors with spice, oak, leather & cacao, a powerhouse. Soft tannins allows current enjoyment. Long silky smooth fresh finish ending with fruit, oak and spice. Great now, will age, but drink now, outstanding. Little pricey at $300. Tasting Sample. — 2 years ago
It is time for a delicious Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple/ Inky in color with a short purple rim.
Big strong nose with blueberries, blackberries, black cherries, licorice, cedar, light vanilla, spices, raisins, chocolates, dried figs, light alcohol and peppercorn.
Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with cooked cherries, cedar, espresso, vanilla, spices, cola, herbs, beef jerky, tar, peppercorn pencil lead, dark chocolates and tobacco leaf.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Merlot based blend from Napa Valley.
Good right out of the bottle and better after an hour of airtime.
Tasty and concentrated. Rich and powerful, and not for the faint of hearts.
This young Bordeaux blend is already fabulous, will be so much better in 10 years, and will age nicely in the next 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it again in 5 years.
A blend of 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet sauvignon. A small production of only 300 cases.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$125. — 3 years ago
Something different - a pear cider from Normandy produced from pear trees estimated to be about 300 years old. Poire Granit had 25 to 50 grams of sugar per litre yet it doesn’t taste particularly sweet. The nose and palate are nothing more complex than pear juice with a slight effervescent bubble. Very refreshing and only 6% ABV. I bought 2 other Cuvées from Eric Bordelet - one had zero ABV. Had a 2nd bottle 21 weeks later on 3rd January 2023 with consistent notes. Refreshing, tasty and uncomplicated. — 3 years ago
"Odedi"
#AgedWineTuesday
Inky in color with a short purple rim.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Showing blackberries, cooked cherries, dried fruits, cedar, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 15 year old still feels young, but drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced and powerful, yet elegant.
Needed 5 hours to open up properly, but was good right out of the bottle too.
Rich and extracted. Fruit forward with nice complexity. Showing a great experience at this point.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$300. — 5 months ago