Ahlgren

Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc

9.114 ratings
9.16 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Cabernet Franc
Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Hard Cheese, Blue Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Potato, White Rice, Herbs, Tomato-Based, Pasta, Mushrooms, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Beef, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Pork, Duck, Venison
Top Notes For
Uli Klumpp

Winemaker's comments: 76% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates' Ranch. Bright, fruity, berry bouquet. Balanced, soft tannins, good finish. Unfined and unfiltered. 159 cases produced. Bottled March 1997.

Winemaker's comments: 76% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates' Ranch. Bright, fruity, berry bouquet. Balanced, soft tannins, good finish. Unfined and unfiltered. 159 cases produced. Bottled March 1997.

Jul 19th, 2020
Uli Klumpp

Remarkable, as good as the 1993, in perfect shape. Decant for fine sediment, and 2h of air. Winemaker’s comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates' Ranch. Rich, fruity, berry bouquet. Balanced, elegant, spicy, with a touch of oak flavors. Unfined and unfiltered. Only 84 cases produced. Bottled February 1996.

Remarkable, as good as the 1993, in perfect shape. Decant for fine sediment, and 2h of air. Winemaker’s comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates' Ranch. Rich, fruity, berry bouquet. Balanced, elegant, spicy, with a touch of oak flavors. Unfined and unfiltered. Only 84 cases produced. Bottled February 1996.

Aug 12th, 2019
Archie Mega

40ish yr old cab franc vines.

40ish yr old cab franc vines.

Nov 14th, 2013
Jeff Mcanally

2003 ......Amazing

2003 ......Amazing

Jun 6th, 2015
Uli Klumpp

Yes, Cab Franc (almost) on its own can be very enjoyable, and age very well. Close to 22 years and still light, fresh, and herbaceous. Winemaker's Comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch. Spicy, fruity, vanilla bouquet. Rich, round, mouthfilling. Unfined and unfiltered. 126 cases produced. Bottled April, 1995.

Yes, Cab Franc (almost) on its own can be very enjoyable, and age very well. Close to 22 years and still light, fresh, and herbaceous. Winemaker's Comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch. Spicy, fruity, vanilla bouquet. Rich, round, mouthfilling. Unfined and unfiltered. 126 cases produced. Bottled April, 1995.

Mar 9th, 2015
Uli Klumpp

Another fine SCM Cab Franc specimen - liked it as much as the 1993. Tasted on two occasions almost two years apart, no signs of exhaustion yet.
Winemaker's Comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch. Raspberry fruit bouquet with black pepper undertones. Rich, elegant, complex. Round balance, lingering finish. Aged in 50 gal. American oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Only 56 cases produced. Bottled March 1994.

Another fine SCM Cab Franc specimen - liked it as much as the 1993. Tasted on two occasions almost two years apart, no signs of exhaustion yet.
Winemaker's Comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch. Raspberry fruit bouquet with black pepper undertones. Rich, elegant, complex. Round balance, lingering finish. Aged in 50 gal. American oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Only 56 cases produced. Bottled March 1994.

Nov 29th, 2014
Eric Miller

The tannins have softened quite a bit. Cooked plums and spices dominate. Damn.

The tannins have softened quite a bit. Cooked plums and spices dominate. Damn.

Sep 28th, 2014
Aimee Duell

Aimee had this 9 years ago

Aimee had this 9 years ago

Oct 17th, 2014
Will Brajnikoff

Sommelier Chai Consulting

9.6

Will had this 10 years ago

Will had this 10 years ago

Nov 14th, 2013
Will Brajnikoff

Sommelier Chai Consulting

8.7

Will had this 11 years ago

Will had this 11 years ago

Dec 11th, 2012