Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

This producer consistently over-delivers for the price. #napavalley #cabernetfranc presents black and purple fruit on the nose, violet hints, some wet slate undertones. Gleaming acidity framing plum compote, cigar box and earthy soft tannins on the sterling long finish. — a year ago

Todd Scurci

9.1

#elizabistro #cabernetfranc #loirevalley — 2 years ago

with Annie

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

20% #cabernetsauvignon 60% #tannat 20% #cabernetfranc . Touch of barnyard funk nose immediately followed by a deep well of cassis, bramble fruit. Higher tension on the palate, robust grippy tannins, as expected. Feels like it needs another 5 years bottle time to fully integrate. #madiran — 2 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Big and bold nose shows cedar and espresso and sweet notes of blackberry, violets and cassis. Full bodied and full of muscles. Dark chocolate with espresso aspirations, black cherry and blackberry reductions, black currant and blacker tobacco. Toffee and cedar explode and melt into a lingering, unctuous chocolate ganache.

#elusa #kenefickranchvineyards #cabernetfranc #cabfranc #calistoga #napa #napavalley — 2 years ago

with Courtney

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Isn’t it great how a diner-style restaurant in downtown Napa could have a delicious red wine like this in a half-bottle format? Medium body, laid-back dark fruit, vegetal notes on the nose - crunchy on palate, good acidity, lovely #cabernetfranc that worked so well with a mild green chili burger + Parmesan fries. — 3 years ago

David Kline

9.7

Lovely, smoky, mushroom-funk with ethereal violet perfume emanating from lemon madeleines. Perfect expression of cassis and blackberries and black cherry, touches of sweet tobacco reveal a jungle of verdant herbs. Amazing cab franc with the full spectrum of textures.



#lajota #lajotavineyardco #lajotahowellmountainestate #howellmountain #napa #napavalley #cabernetfranc #cabfranc #oakville — 3 years ago

with Courtney

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Delicious #cabfranc #cabernetfranc from #toscana hand harvested. Delicate, less Mediterranean than I expected and actually more like a Loire style. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Nice value #chinon - more modern, not as rustic and funky, muted dark fruit, less bell pepper notes (which I happen to love from #cabernetfranc) so a wider appeal style here with balance and weight on the tongue. #costcowines — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

You’ll definitely want to decant this wine. Well over an hour after opening in the glass the initial dusty #bordeaux muted fruit wakes up fully, very youthful bramble fruit, purple jam on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity and generally soft tannins from the Merlot dominant blend with some more assertive tannins on the finish. 68% #merlot, 17% #cabernetsauvignon, 13% #petitverdot, 2% #cabernetfranc - clearly I got the impression this wine could easily cruise for another 5 years in the bottle. Excellent #costcowines value. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Textbook #loirevalley #cabernetfranc, this one from #touraine ; It was late in the evening after happy hour so notes are a bit more approximate than usual. 😜 Pyrazines active, green pepper notes, shy black/purple fruit, soft tannins and a vegetal earthiness on the palate. It could have been served cooler by the bar but nice night cap nonetheless. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

One more winner from Nice Winery: Softly spiced blackberry and plum nose framed by faint coffee aromas. Proportional acidity and fruit on palate, more pronounced dark chocolate notes, soft tannins on the finish that build over time. #mendoza #cabernetfranc — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Perfect example of #cabernetfranc from #loirevalleywines — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Not critically tasted as we quaffed this during Halloween trick-or-treating with the kids. Even drank out of plastic cups this is an elegant, nuanced #cabernetfranc from IB&F, made from Bates Ranch grapes. #santacruzmountains — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Delicious #carneros Bordeaux-style blend. Big bramble fruit, leather and spice nose, drinks lighter on the palate than the 14.8% ABV and 80% new French oak would suggest; the whole package is well integrated from a difficult fire vintage, lovely spice on the finish. 84% #merlot, 13% #cabernetsauvignon, 3% #cabernetfranc — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

#secondwine of #stemiliongrandcru first growth Château Chauvin. Absolutely an excellent wine for the price. 95% #merlot 5% #cabernetfranc , understated cassis and purple plum nose, medium plus body on the palate, pretty soft fruit balanced by bright acidity, some mineral undertones and soft tannins after 8 years of bottle age. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Exquisite single vineyard #cabernetfranc from #agrelo #mendoza. Deep well of purple & black berries, graphite, dark cocoa on the nose. Considerable tension on palate offsetting a beam of dark fruit, peppery finish and yes some pleasant red pepper notes towards the finish with soft tannins to close things out on the mouth-smacking finish. — 2 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Solid #cabfranc #cabernetfranc — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

It’s great to see the historic and influential Robert Mondavi Winery return to excellence. Napa Bordeaux blend with 85% #cabernetsauvignon 6% #cabernetfranc 6% #petitverdot 2% #malbec 1% #merlot. This wine shines with generous decanting. Elegant, memorable ripe bramble fruit and black plum, sweet baking spices on the nose. Juicy tartness underlays a bold wave of fruit on the palate with silken tannins on the finish. I definitely plan on laying down my other bottle for at least half a decade. #oakville — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

I found it very aromatic and exploding with #Cabernetfranc aromas and flavors. It’s clean and fluid and fantastic for the price. #saintemilion — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Il Fauno 2016 51% #merlot, 31% #cabernetfranc, 17% #cabernetsauvignon and 1% #petitverdot . Delicious, ageworthy #toscanaigt blend. Pretty tight after opening, a day later, black and blue berry notes unfurl alongside tobacco, toasted coconut, tilled earth, and vanilla notes on nose. Bright acidity on palate, rich texture and some chewy tannins on the finish that build and linger on the tongue. Overall I’m digging the balance and richness but a bit too much vanilla / toast notes from new oak. — 4 years ago