1999 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Franc Third Century, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

This is 100% Cabernet Franc from Howell Mountain in Napa. This is past its prime but still delivering fruit and was enjoyable to drink if you like/don't mind older wines. Purple in color with slight browning, opaque and bright. The nose is dusty with black cherries, dried cherries, stale tobacco, and spice. Medium to full bodied. Still has some tannins although they are a bit drying. On the palate, there are cherries, dried cherries, black cherries with some dry earthiness. Some complexity. Good finish. This is definitely improved when consuming with food. It would be a nice wine with meatloaf.

Grade:

B+

Score:

Vintage:

1998

Cabernet Franc: Talking with John Skupny of Lang & Reed

These days, whenever I mention that I picked up a bottle of Cabernet Franc during one of my tasting trips, I always get a knowing nod of approval from my fellow wine enthusiasts. Cabernet Franc is definitely gaining attention among American consumers, and it has slowly begun to emerge as more than just a mere blending grape for Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve pondered Cabernet Franc’s recent rise in popularity, and have developed a theory regarding the varietal’s growing niche within the American market: Over the past 30 years, U.S. consumers have come to accept Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as two of the standards among fine red wine.

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2012 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Detert is one of the owners of a section of the To Kalon vineyard. Way back in the day they used to sell to Robert Mondavi. For my money, they make the best Cabernet Franc in Napa and some of the best in the world. While it is not inexpensive, for the quality, it is well priced (in Napa terms). Definitely a mailing list to be on. Purple in color, a thin ruby line at the rim. The nose is great with black cherries, cigar tobacco, slight char and a bit of earthiness. On the palate, this is open and drinking well if still young. Medium tannins. Lots of black cherry fruit with some with

2016 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc East Block Oakville, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$177.00USD

During a recent visit to the Napa Valley, I had a chance to meet with Tom Garrett. Tom is part of the Detert Family of wines who own a portion of the historic To Kalon vineyard. The Detert's and the MacDonalds are cousins whose lineage goes back to a common owner of a parcel of the vineyard from the early 1950's. The Detert's portion grows mostly Cabernet Franc although there is some Cabernet Sauvignon. This particular bottling is their top Cabernet Franc and it is as good as any made anywhere. Although still very young, this is a wine that has great concentration and will age graceful

2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A+

This is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 29% Cabernet Franc. Another project made by Thomas Rivers Brown. This is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend. I know that many critics have worried about the 2017 vintage and while the fires are a legitimate concern, I have been loving them and especially the Cab Franc and Merlot. I loved this even more than the 2015 which I scored 97 (reviews are on this site).

Chappellet 2021 Cabernet Franc

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$120.00USD

Chappellet has been growing Cabernet Franc for 35 years, planted at a time when Franc was merely considered a blending grape. Comprised of 78% Cabernet Franc (there are small amounts of four other grapes), Chappellet had a made bold choice to produce a stand-alone wine from this grape. Sure, Franc has been made in the U.S. as a stand-alone, and the Loire Valley is ripe with iterations of Franc - most notably in Chinon and St. Dennis. But Franc in California and Franc in France are quite different. That difference aside, Chappellet does an admirable job crafting a very enjoyable wine.

1999 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Franc Third Century, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

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Cabernet Franc: Talking with John Skupny of Lang & Reed

2012 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

2016 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc East Block Oakville, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Chappellet 2021 Cabernet Franc