Cabernet Franc Blend
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Le Volte Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2022
Smooth, rich and creamy, medium body, slightly sweet — 17 days ago
Continuum
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007
1 hour decant(little cloudy/fine sediment). A wondrous purplish dark garnet. On the nose: A captivating nose of dark cherry, planting soil, herbaceous, sandalwood, pencil shavings, vanilla toast. Taste: beautiful velvety tannins, juicy, balanced wine with blackberry, baking spice, dried herbs, bitter chocolate, and a long red fruit finish. YUM! — 6 days ago
Clos Rougeard
Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2016
Outrageously haunting, complex, and undergoes an infinite development over hours showing great mineral structure, strawberry and cranberry fruit, currant, olive tapenade, bell pepper, garrigue, graphite, and a ton of soul. Not just a wine, but a semiotic wound. — 3 days ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990
Dark and briny. Gnarly fruit with dried herbs and intense meaty fruit. Mineral and deep. Rich and long. Great — 2 days ago
Marchesi Antinori
Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2007
I bought this bottle in Florence around 2019. I later found out the shop was owned by Antinori - the producer of the wine. An excellent Super Tuscan from Bolgheri. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Dark Ruby with a tawny rim starting to develop. Classic Bordeaux descriptors of Cassis, herbs, tobacco and hints of cocoa with oak totally integrated. A rich and mouth filling palate such that it could have been from a new world vineyard in a good vintage. This is comparable in quality to a good Super Second. Interestingly the 2007 had the major change of Syrah being eliminated from the blend in favour of Cabernet Franc. An outstanding Bordeaux blend which exceeded expectations. I should keep an eye out for more bottles. — 4 days ago
Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2006
It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.
Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.
How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — 11 days ago
Tom Garland
Decant and pour (lots of chunky/fine sediment). A striking purplish magenta color. On the nose: Alluring perfumed nose of dark cherry, worn leather, black olives, smoked meat, herbaceous, touch of brett(bandaids). Taste: velvety, creamy, savory, structured wine with dark plum/blackberry preserve, minerals, earth, chocolate espresso, leather, and a long lingering spicy tobacco leaf finish. YUM! — 5 days ago