World's End
Reserve Against The Wind Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley, California, USA
2009 vintage, apparently the first for this wine. From the cooler southern parts of Napa Valley, for what I could find on the internet this should be 80% cabernet franc, and the remainder Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Much more evolved compared to the If six was nine cabernet sauvignon from the same vintage. Spicy nose with a hint of caramel, bacon and blackberry jam. Powerful and spicy in the mouth, good acidity but overall a bit monolithic. Good spicy length. Not in the same league as the "If six was nine" cabernet sauvignon, nor the impressive "Little Sister" Merlot. Abv.14,8 %.
2009 vintage, apparently the first for this wine. From the cooler southern parts of Napa Valley, for what I could find on the internet this should be 80% cabernet franc, and the remainder Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Much more evolved compared to the If six was nine cabernet sauvignon from the same vintage. Spicy nose with a hint of caramel, bacon and blackberry jam. Powerful and spicy in the mouth, good acidity but overall a bit monolithic. Good spicy length. Not in the same league as the "If six was nine" cabernet sauvignon, nor the impressive "Little Sister" Merlot. Abv.14,8 %.
Aug 30th, 2018
World's End is the Napa project of Jonathan Maltus. He's better known for his work on the Right Bank of Bordeaux as the owner of Château Teyssier and creating Le Dôme. The 2013 Against The Wind was sufficiently beaten up by more than one critic, but I was still surprised when I fished it out of a discount bin for $9... he's made a wine that Robert Parker scored 100... I think I'll take the risk... Juicy plum with blueberry are the focus, followed by some Hershey's cocoa powder and roasted red pepper, with some tertiary molasses and dried violet.
World's End is the Napa project of Jonathan Maltus. He's better known for his work on the Right Bank of Bordeaux as the owner of Château Teyssier and creating Le Dôme. The 2013 Against The Wind was sufficiently beaten up by more than one critic, but I was still surprised when I fished it out of a discount bin for $9... he's made a wine that Robert Parker scored 100... I think I'll take the risk... Juicy plum with blueberry are the focus, followed by some Hershey's cocoa powder and roasted red pepper, with some tertiary molasses and dried violet.
May 19th, 2017Still young. Trying to get a better sense of Napa Cab Franc.
Still young. Trying to get a better sense of Napa Cab Franc.
Aug 29th, 2014Big and juicy, but eminently delicious, on the riper side of cab franc, no signs of tell tale veggies
Big and juicy, but eminently delicious, on the riper side of cab franc, no signs of tell tale veggies
Dec 14th, 2013
Light ruby with garnet hues and a thin edges. Spectacular nose consisting of floral aromatics, tons of red fruits, luscious chocolate, and a little toasted oak kicking in too. Though Napa is in here somewhere, this is straight Loire style. Medium bodied with simply wonderful acidity and tannins. On the tongue, the fruit is definitely more refined and subtle. Rich coffee, dried herbs, more oak, and green pepper dominate. On the long finish, there’s a bit of cloves. This is such a beautiful wine. A true Cab Franc, not pretending to be some heavyweight bruiser.
Light ruby with garnet hues and a thin edges. Spectacular nose consisting of floral aromatics, tons of red fruits, luscious chocolate, and a little toasted oak kicking in too. Though Napa is in here somewhere, this is straight Loire style. Medium bodied with simply wonderful acidity and tannins. On the tongue, the fruit is definitely more refined and subtle. Rich coffee, dried herbs, more oak, and green pepper dominate. On the long finish, there’s a bit of cloves. This is such a beautiful wine. A true Cab Franc, not pretending to be some heavyweight bruiser.
Aug 18th, 2018
Tart, dry, and leathery but I like it, especially for $27. It’s got it’s rough spots, but a nice pace changer.
Tart, dry, and leathery but I like it, especially for $27. It’s got it’s rough spots, but a nice pace changer.
Jul 22nd, 2018
Savory and tannic with currant and mineral flowing through.
Savory and tannic with currant and mineral flowing through.
Apr 22nd, 2018
Huge fan of Cab Franc and influenced by my pursuit of worthy Franc. Opened up and offered more, will take more time to fully be appreciated
Huge fan of Cab Franc and influenced by my pursuit of worthy Franc. Opened up and offered more, will take more time to fully be appreciated
Sep 24th, 2017