Wm. Harrison Vineyards & Winery (William Harrison)
Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA
@Mark Flesher and I did a quick side by side tasting of two 2014 Napa Valley Cab francs tonight and it’s always such a joy to try wines side by side that are the same in one respect, but can differ so greatly!
I opened a bottle of ‘14 Arnyca Cab Franc (I’ve posted a few times, so no need for me to be redundant, but it’s a killer bottle of Cab Franc) while Mark opened this. At pop and pour (and throughout the hour) where the Arnyca was lush and approachable, this had a volcanic type back end note and was very tannic. The fruit was still there, but it was a bit more complex due to the earthy type note. This continued on the palate with a more spicy/peppercorn finish. Changed in the glass quite a bit. This has all the stuffing of a great cab franc (fruit notes of rhubarb, blackberries, and plum, cherry spice, and an herbal/earthy finish) as well as structure and age ability. This is without a doubt the best sub $60 Cab Franc I’ve ever had. 9.3 score, but 9.4 would have happened with more air. Expect this to be 9.5 with 5-7 yrs of age.
@Mark Flesher and I did a quick side by side tasting of two 2014 Napa Valley Cab francs tonight and it’s always such a joy to try wines side by side that are the same in one respect, but can differ so greatly!
I opened a bottle of ‘14 Arnyca Cab Franc (I’ve posted a few times, so no need for me to be redundant, but it’s a killer bottle of Cab Franc) while Mark opened this. At pop and pour (and throughout the hour) where the Arnyca was lush and approachable, this had a volcanic type back end note and was very tannic. The fruit was still there, but it was a bit more complex due to the earthy type note. This continued on the palate with a more spicy/peppercorn finish. Changed in the glass quite a bit. This has all the stuffing of a great cab franc (fruit notes of rhubarb, blackberries, and plum, cherry spice, and an herbal/earthy finish) as well as structure and age ability. This is without a doubt the best sub $60 Cab Franc I’ve ever had. 9.3 score, but 9.4 would have happened with more air. Expect this to be 9.5 with 5-7 yrs of age.
Playing a little catch-up.... Tasted alongside a 2016 Amizetta cabernet franc. In comparison, this is definitely the thoroughbred. Made for long term aging, this wine displayed incredible astringency from start to finish. Had a wonderful black cherry and rhubarb front, a little bit heated to the middle with some dried herb and allspice. Lots of wildflowers on the nose and entry. The finish was quite astringent with lots of stiff youthful oak tannin. If this was open for about two hours, it would have killed. So, for those that choose to open this one now, give it a fairly long time to breathe. Better yet, keep it in the cellar for about 3 or 4 years.
Playing a little catch-up.... Tasted alongside a 2016 Amizetta cabernet franc. In comparison, this is definitely the thoroughbred. Made for long term aging, this wine displayed incredible astringency from start to finish. Had a wonderful black cherry and rhubarb front, a little bit heated to the middle with some dried herb and allspice. Lots of wildflowers on the nose and entry. The finish was quite astringent with lots of stiff youthful oak tannin. If this was open for about two hours, it would have killed. So, for those that choose to open this one now, give it a fairly long time to breathe. Better yet, keep it in the cellar for about 3 or 4 years.
Oct 10th, 2019