Ruby color, medium intensity. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, candied red cherries, raspberries, orange peel, cedar, spice box, chocolate, leather, balanced oak, complex and though provoking beauty. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannins, good acidity, with lots of layers, the spices on this and pretty upper tones remind me of an peeling off an evening gown, and the finish like the satin sheets.
Category Archives: Cabernet Franc
2009 Omnivore Cellars Cabenret Franc
2003 Matthews Cellars Cabernet Franc
Arguably the best Cabernet Franc in Washington State. Garnet in color with some brown in it. On the nose, medium intensity, developed, with great depth and complexity, fig, plum, cedar, bell pepper, spice, some oak, with some mineral too. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, silky tannins, medium acidity, medium body, with very nice balance, intriguing and complex, layered with licorice, bark, and cocoa, and good length to the finish.
2008 Conn Creek Cabernet Franc
This wine really tore it up. Dark ruby in color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, cedar, cherries, currants, tobacco, layered, complex, with some oak, and no earth to speak to. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, great balance, chocolate cherry fig smoothie, laced with tobacco, vanilla, and cedar bark, with a subtle dusty component, and a solid finish.
2008 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc Wahluke Slope
Dark ruby color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, red cherry, red currants, plum, licorice, flowers, spices, creamy and also soapy component, some oak, with no earth to speak to. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, silky, spicy, luscious red fruit, with good balance, and a delicious finish. This wine rocked, I’m buying more for myself and I recommend you do the same.
2007 Cougar Crest Cabernet Franc Walla Walla
Pretty purple garnet color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, plum, raspberry, blackberry, leather, spice, tobacco, dried herbs, subtle oak, with faint dusty character. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, elegant, with silky tannins, very rich mouth feel, with very good balance of fruit and spices, on a long finish. This wine could be best Cabernet Franc in the state.
2008 OS Winery Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard
There’s a special spot in my heart for their wines, because I’ve spent a lot of time with eccentric wine-maker Owen. To generalize, their wines are flowery, pretty, and silky. Dark purple to garnet color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, black cherry, black raspberry, plum, cedar, leather, lots of stem and bell pepper, spice box, some oak, and not all that earthy. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, flowery, silky tannins, pretty black fruit component, with a sexy fruit and spice driven finish. I expected more layers, especially from this vineyard, but this grape and winery are still trying to find their way in WA state. Definitely worth a visit!
2006 Gamache Vintners Cabernet Franc
Ruby in color. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, blackberry, bnlack currant, plum, cigar, bell pepper, baseball mit, loaded with spices, pencil shavings, cigar box component, some oak but well layered, not earthy. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, medium tannin, medium body, very elegant, very balanced, seemingly perfect fusion of fruit, oak, and “other” flavors. With very food friendly acidity, and a spice laden long finish, this is a “sleeper wine”, more people should be trying it.
2006 Waterbrook Melange Rouge Columbia Valley
28% Cabernet Franc, 21% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Sangiovese, 14% Merlot, 1% Tempranillo. Kind of Washington mutt blend. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, black raspberry, plum, cherry, creamy spicy element, chocolate, milkshake, not earthy, with detectable oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, nice berry milkshake, with medium tannin, medium acidity, not immensely complex but very drinkable.