Cabernet Franc

Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked.   A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries.  On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity.  Plums and cherries.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years.  It will go well with stews and casseroles.  

This is a blend of 85% Merlot.

A blend of  70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries with slight dill.  On the palate, this has a pretty, soft texture.  Black cherries with slight black olives.  A slight complexity.  Light tannins.  This is open and drinking well.  Very up front fruit.  Moderate finish.  This seems to be about as good a it will get.  It should be at this level for five to ten more years.  It will go well with roasted fowl and drinks easy on its own.  

Although 2003 was not a classic vintage in Bordeaux (it was extremely hot), this is a classic styled Montrose at age 17.  2003 Château Montrose is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.   Purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has some barnyard along with cassis, and a slight char.  What a great texture.  Luxurious, almost gelatinous.  Lots of cassis fruit over some char and earth.  Complex layers.  Long finish.  This seems to be at or close to peak but should be here for at least a decade.  Drinking very well on its own and will work w

The 2003's a general rule are all drinking at peak now.  It was a very hot vintage.  Some wines got very ripe and others, stayed green when the plants shut down due to the heat.  Inky purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice and cinnamon.  Very clean.  On the palate, this has light to medium tannins,  still plenty of cherries and black cherries.  Ripe bit not over the top although concentrated.  Long finish.  This probably won't get better but should be good for another ten to fifteen years.  it will work well with grilled or roasted meats or on its own.  

This is still a bit young but rounding into peak form and almost there.  With a  bit of air, this is drinking quite well.  A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, leather, cigar box, slight dark chocolate, cherries and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a lush but firm texture.  Lots of energy.  Layers of fruit and dried tobacco with a bit of char.  Complex.  Light tannins.  After about an hour, this was singing.  Long finish.  This will work with most heavier foods especially roasts or casseroles (wit

This is an excellent value in red wine.  It is a blend of 80% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate and a hint of spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry fruit with some depth.  Light tannins.  Underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and should be great with poultry dishes or even a burger.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  While wine prices vary at the time of this writing, this wi

This is a non-vintage blend.  It was bottled in 2016.  Although it carries a Napa Valley designation, as it is mostly Mt. Veeder grapes, it has grapes from all over California.  A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon,36% Cabernet Franc, and 23% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose has a mushroom note to it along with black cherry fruit and baking spices.  Warm.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Easy drinking.  This probably should be consumed in the next five to seven years.  It will work well with stews and casseroles.  

  This is a blend of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 1.5% Petit Verdot.  It is a big wine that seems like it will still get better with cellaring.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, dust, and an interesting citrus quality.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Notes of cassis, some dark chocolate and orange peel (?) come thru.  It is deep with firm tannins that will need time to open.  Long finish.  This needs another five to ten years of cellaring and should be good for ten to twelve after that.  Right now, it should be given an eight h

This is a Finger Lakes red.  It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 17% Merlot.  The label lists 13% abv.