A Napa Cabernet Franc tasting with the family today. The Detert and the Larkin were the favorites of the group; both had gorgeous black cherry and blueberry fruit with terrific aromatic intensity. The Gandona Meia and the Studio Seven-Fifty need more time. The Turnbull was slightly corked. — 6 years ago
We couldn’t finish this wine on the first night so given it’s age, we put the cork back and enjoyed it again on night two. It may have even been better the second night. Clearly this needs a good decanting to let this wind sing from the glass. Dark, rich color, complex nuances. — 5 months ago
Franc Friday continues. A completely different beast than the Detert. This is more restrained and less ripe but absolutely elegant and delicious. Medium bodied, with more floral than fruit notes, this still offers some fruit but skews more savory (yet lacks the green/olive flavors). Paired exceptionally well with food. — 6 years ago
Last night. Previously had so this is a repeat. Still great. Chicken parm and the couch. — 10 months ago
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
Here is the other wine that I claimed may have been the red wine of the trip, and also may have been one of the top winery visits of the trip! Loved tasting in the family home and hearing the connecting stories between them and the Macdonalds. I’ll forever be grateful that @Carl Fischer introduced me to Detert years ago, and he helped make an intro so that I could visit this time around.
Monster! This is like the normal cab franc but with everything turned up to 11. However, because it’s cab franc, the elevated profile isn’t overwhelmingly fruit forward...it just makes it so floral. Potpourri, violets, jasmine accompanied by herbal spice, black tea, mulberries, dark chocolate and cedar. Zero trace of green pepper. Very vineyard loyal. As old vine To Kalon cab franc, this has classic To Kalon power with currant, graphite, vibrant black cherries, clay/dirt, red, blue and black berries with skyscraper like structure and profile. Very fine grained tannins. This is an astounding cab franc. — 4 years ago
This 06 is drinking awsome!!the detert boys can make some wine. One more of this vintage left. Steak and scampi, yesss!! — 6 years ago
Inspired by @Peggy Hadley and her visit with @Tom Garrett - I had to open my favorite vintage of this wine so far. So incredibly delicious I can’t say enough good things. Silky mouthfeel, great red fruits, graphite, leather, medium acidity, soft tannins - just so incredible. Pop and pour goodness. — 6 years ago
Tom Garland
1/2 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A stunning dark magenta color. On the nose: wet forest floor, tobacco, some red fruit, herbaceous, pine. Taste: smooth, juicy, lean/light wine with some dark cherry, green vegi, earth, herbaceous and a black tea medium finish. Just OK for a tough year. — 12 days ago