Oakville East
Franc' N Stern Cabernet Franc
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Smoky herbaceousness, mossy maples, avocado skin, pencil shavings in a weird, carbon paper aquarium. Swim with me through black currant vapor, then dive into graphite and burnt blackberry bathtubs, strip off your camp-smoke sweater, relax in the haystack, fern and mesquite mulch, and briary arms of the cedar and gun smoke fed vinous swamp-franc!
A few friends were underwhelmed by this wine, and perhaps got tired bottles, but this one was a chunk of fiery biomass.
Smoky herbaceousness, mossy maples, avocado skin, pencil shavings in a weird, carbon paper aquarium. Swim with me through black currant vapor, then dive into graphite and burnt blackberry bathtubs, strip off your camp-smoke sweater, relax in the haystack, fern and mesquite mulch, and briary arms of the cedar and gun smoke fed vinous swamp-franc!
A few friends were underwhelmed by this wine, and perhaps got tired bottles, but this one was a chunk of fiery biomass.
Fresh green herbs, ripe cherry and plum. Cocoa. M+ tannin and body. Still very young. Needs a bit of time to show its true potential.
Fresh green herbs, ripe cherry and plum. Cocoa. M+ tannin and body. Still very young. Needs a bit of time to show its true potential.
Mar 13th, 2016
To me a tad below their 2011 but for "American palates" (did I really write that??) this should be worth checking out.
To me a tad below their 2011 but for "American palates" (did I really write that??) this should be worth checking out.
Feb 20th, 2016
What a great wine! Really robust, and grew nicely after a decant. Big berries and fruit in the front, hints of leather sand some earthiness, but overall a knock out of the park.
What a great wine! Really robust, and grew nicely after a decant. Big berries and fruit in the front, hints of leather sand some earthiness, but overall a knock out of the park.
Dec 4th, 2017Some off about this bottle. It was OK at first, probably about an 8.7, or thereabouts. After about an hour and a half later it was completely undrinkable. I've never had a wine turn to vinegar this fast, and more especially not a 2013.
Some off about this bottle. It was OK at first, probably about an 8.7, or thereabouts. After about an hour and a half later it was completely undrinkable. I've never had a wine turn to vinegar this fast, and more especially not a 2013.
Mar 19th, 2017
Oak oak and more oak. Just way too intense for my liking. Will try tomorrow and see if it's toned down a bit
Oak oak and more oak. Just way too intense for my liking. Will try tomorrow and see if it's toned down a bit
Oct 15th, 2016
Wow! Amazing profile! Just an all around amazing full body wine
Wow! Amazing profile! Just an all around amazing full body wine
Nov 12th, 2015Seriously a spectacular Cabernet Franc - way too young to drink, so second day was much better
Seriously a spectacular Cabernet Franc - way too young to drink, so second day was much better
Sep 23rd, 2014