Peter Franus
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
A very small operation, their first release was a Zinfandel in 1987. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry, currants and dried herbs with notes of vanilla and oak. Medium+ finish, nicely balanced, fine yet firm tannins, ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. Nice! Must try again!
A very small operation, their first release was a Zinfandel in 1987. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, spice and forest floor notes. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry, currants and dried herbs with notes of vanilla and oak. Medium+ finish, nicely balanced, fine yet firm tannins, ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. Nice! Must try again!
Apr 7th, 2021Dark Ruby, a rich and complex Cab loaded with youthful berry and red fruit aromas with herb spice and cedar aromas. On the palate blackberry and sweet cherry flavors with notes of pepper, espresso, smoke and sweet herbs. Refined tannins, but still tight, long ending with a fine sweet smoky cedar character. Very nice has room to age.
Dark Ruby, a rich and complex Cab loaded with youthful berry and red fruit aromas with herb spice and cedar aromas. On the palate blackberry and sweet cherry flavors with notes of pepper, espresso, smoke and sweet herbs. Refined tannins, but still tight, long ending with a fine sweet smoky cedar character. Very nice has room to age.
Dec 17th, 2020
Inspired to open a bottle by @Tom Casagrande recent post. I commented that this producer flies largely under the radar & unnecessarily so. I’ve had 02, 03, 04 & now 08. All delicious with excellent QPR on the bottles I own. Although, I don’t have many bottles forward of 08. So, unaware of recent pricing.
The nose reveals, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ollieberries, blueberries, some dark cherries with raspberries on the glass edge, black licorice, dark spice, incense, smoked meats, anise, dark cola, limestone minerals, dry crushed volcanics, fresh & dry herbs, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & touch of calm vanilla, cedar, used leather, fresh tobacco, saddle-wood, black olive, steeped black tea with fragrant, ruby, dark, blue, purple flower bound in violets & lavender.
The body is full, ruby & ripe. Still has grand, tarry, chewy tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting to be their best. This is good but, will enjoy my next bottle in five more years. Ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ollieberries, blueberries, some dark cherries with haunting raspberries, black licorice, dark spice with just right intensity & perfect palate heat, incense, smoked meats, anise, dark cola, limestone minerals, dry crushed volcanics, fresh & dry herbs, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & touch of calm vanilla, cedar, used leather, fresh tobacco, saddle-wood, black olive, steeped black tea, forest floor with a few mushrooms with fragrant, ruby, dark, blue, purple flower bound in violets & lavender. will drink for at least another 10-15 years.
Photos of; Peter with Assistant Winemaker Tim Dolven, a perfect fruit cluster, barrel room and a PF vineyard.
Inspired to open a bottle by @Tom Casagrande recent post. I commented that this producer flies largely under the radar & unnecessarily so. I’ve had 02, 03, 04 & now 08. All delicious with excellent QPR on the bottles I own. Although, I don’t have many bottles forward of 08. So, unaware of recent pricing.
The nose reveals, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ollieberries, blueberries, some dark cherries with raspberries on the glass edge, black licorice, dark spice, incense, smoked meats, anise, dark cola, limestone minerals, dry crushed volcanics, fresh & dry herbs, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & touch of calm vanilla, cedar, used leather, fresh tobacco, saddle-wood, black olive, steeped black tea with fragrant, ruby, dark, blue, purple flower bound in violets & lavender.
The body is full, ruby & ripe. Still has grand, tarry, chewy tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting to be their best. This is good but, will enjoy my next bottle in five more years. Ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ollieberries, blueberries, some dark cherries with haunting raspberries, black licorice, dark spice with just right intensity & perfect palate heat, incense, smoked meats, anise, dark cola, limestone minerals, dry crushed volcanics, fresh & dry herbs, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & touch of calm vanilla, cedar, used leather, fresh tobacco, saddle-wood, black olive, steeped black tea, forest floor with a few mushrooms with fragrant, ruby, dark, blue, purple flower bound in violets & lavender. will drink for at least another 10-15 years.
Photos of; Peter with Assistant Winemaker Tim Dolven, a perfect fruit cluster, barrel room and a PF vineyard.
So, if you've not tried Peter Franus, you are missing not only a good wine/producer but a very good value in Napa Cabernet. This 03 is drinking beautifully tonight. Somewhere around its peak. Tannins are nicely resolved. Fruits are; ripe blackberries, blueberries, olallieberries, black raspberries, pancakes, beautiful semi-sweet rich, moist black earth, dusty brown volcanic earth, crushed stones, stems, violets, black tea, high acid, polished ripe fruit on the finish that lasts a full two-minutes. Happy New Year!!! 🍷🍾🎉
So, if you've not tried Peter Franus, you are missing not only a good wine/producer but a very good value in Napa Cabernet. This 03 is drinking beautifully tonight. Somewhere around its peak. Tannins are nicely resolved. Fruits are; ripe blackberries, blueberries, olallieberries, black raspberries, pancakes, beautiful semi-sweet rich, moist black earth, dusty brown volcanic earth, crushed stones, stems, violets, black tea, high acid, polished ripe fruit on the finish that lasts a full two-minutes. Happy New Year!!! 🍷🍾🎉
2 people found it helpfulJan 1st, 2017
Espresso, cherry, fine oak and plenty of tannins. LARGE wine
Espresso, cherry, fine oak and plenty of tannins. LARGE wine
1 person found it helpfulJan 10th, 2017
Karen had this 8 years ago
Karen had this 8 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJul 26th, 2016I'm going to go out on limb and say that for most people PF flies under the radar. It should not! This is a quality 03 Cabernet for the $. In fact, a steal if you buy it right and early. Perfectly ripe black cassis, raspberry, an array of baking spices, graphite, touch of black pepper, black licorice, black olive and dusty tannins. Soft with a finish that's goes on and on. Drink now and for another 5-10 years. The tannins and acidity say it will easily make it another 10 years in proper storage.
I'm going to go out on limb and say that for most people PF flies under the radar. It should not! This is a quality 03 Cabernet for the $. In fact, a steal if you buy it right and early. Perfectly ripe black cassis, raspberry, an array of baking spices, graphite, touch of black pepper, black licorice, black olive and dusty tannins. Soft with a finish that's goes on and on. Drink now and for another 5-10 years. The tannins and acidity say it will easily make it another 10 years in proper storage.
1 person found it helpfulApr 25th, 2015
Awesome acidity, silky and organic!
Awesome acidity, silky and organic!
1 person found it helpfulMar 3rd, 2014
Typical and yet great. The cooler year really brought out the best characteristics of the Cab grape from good producers and this wine is no different. Great balance and acidity. Not over done.
Typical and yet great. The cooler year really brought out the best characteristics of the Cab grape from good producers and this wine is no different. Great balance and acidity. Not over done.
Oct 31st, 2014