Bates Ranch Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Franc

Old Man edition

F&$king loved it! Zero spoof, slightly natty on nose, fresh floral zing on palette. Acid✅ red crunchy fruit✅ flab❌oak❌over extraction❌ yum✅

Old Man edition. Not sure if I opened up to soon from bottle shock, but nose was sour and overly tart. Palate was completely different, had tasty fresh dark red fruits (cranberry & raspberry), with hints pencil like minerality. Finished with a balanced tannin structure, not too firm. Was mostly thrown off by aroma, but tasted great. Have a couple to test out in the near future.

Quite possibly the best California Cabernet Franc EVER. Dark-night plum in color, with a bouquet of spicy pine, raspberry, and your favorite pair of heavy denim Levi's freshly laundered. As for the taste, I'm floored. How it is possible for briny blackberries, dehydrated green bell pepper, with hints of toasted blueberries and big flakes of black pepper to come together smoother than lube is beyond me.

Pencil lead and mint dominate the nose. Not much fruit t speak of. Medium weighted in the mid with sneaky tannin creeping up on the back. A introspective version of Cab Franc that seems complex, but leaves me wanting more.

Red and black fruit, bay leaf, floral. Not a stewy nightmare. I don’t know if California Cab Franc can get better.

Cumin, turmeric, bay leaf and silky red fruit. Like a Nebbiolo without the tobacco and rose thing.

Spectacular

Minimal intervention with good acidity and savory component that draws you to glass....slightly cloudy

Had with a burger. Opened up nicely.