Arraigo Benegas
Old Vines Mendoza Cabernet Franc
Mendoza, Cuyo, Argentina
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a great one from Argentina.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.
Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, raisins, wood, vanilla, licorice, dark chocolates, coffee, mocha, spices, peppercorn, pencil lead, light vegetables, earth and leather.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, tobacco leaf, light vegetables, peppercorn, coffee, chocolates, tobacco and graphite.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 9 year old Argentinian Cabernet Franc is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Peaking now.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity, although, it is good right out of the bottle.
Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.
I've had their regular Cab Franc, but this Old Vines version is so much better. A delicious wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.
100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$50.
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a great one from Argentina.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.
Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, raisins, wood, vanilla, licorice, dark chocolates, coffee, mocha, spices, peppercorn, pencil lead, light vegetables, earth and leather.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, tobacco leaf, light vegetables, peppercorn, coffee, chocolates, tobacco and graphite.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 9 year old Argentinian Cabernet Franc is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Peaking now.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity, although, it is good right out of the bottle.
Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.
I've had their regular Cab Franc, but this Old Vines version is so much better. A delicious wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.
100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$50.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose with black currants, plums, vanilla, oak, spices, licorice, coffee, cloves, chocolates, earth, peppercorn, light vegetables and light vinaigrette.
Full bodied than bold with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, red currants, raspberries, vegetables, vanilla, licorice, oak, wet leaves, bell pepper, bitter herbs, pencil lead, earth, leather, dark roast coffee and peppercorn.
Medium plus on the finish with big tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a very nice Cabernet Franc from Mendoza. Earthy and not fully balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Still showing big tannins and a grippy mouthfeel. Feels very much like a powerful right Bank Bordeaux.
A good food wine that will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.
This 8 year old still needs 2 hours to open up properly. Fruity right out of the bottle.
Would be better in a few years as it softens up.
100% Cabernet Franc Old Vine grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose with black currants, plums, vanilla, oak, spices, licorice, coffee, cloves, chocolates, earth, peppercorn, light vegetables and light vinaigrette.
Full bodied than bold with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, red currants, raspberries, vegetables, vanilla, licorice, oak, wet leaves, bell pepper, bitter herbs, pencil lead, earth, leather, dark roast coffee and peppercorn.
Medium plus on the finish with big tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a very nice Cabernet Franc from Mendoza. Earthy and not fully balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Still showing big tannins and a grippy mouthfeel. Feels very much like a powerful right Bank Bordeaux.
A good food wine that will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.
This 8 year old still needs 2 hours to open up properly. Fruity right out of the bottle.
Would be better in a few years as it softens up.
100% Cabernet Franc Old Vine grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50.