Cabernet Franc

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

A nice in between style of Cab Franc.  Not super ripe but nothing green either.  Purple in color, maroon at the rim.  The nose is nice.  Dusty with black cherries and slight cigar tobacco.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice black cherry fruit.  A bit of tobacco underneath.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to seven years.  It drinks easy on its own but will also work with grilled foods and roasts.  

This is a second growth under the 1855 classification system.  Not a super second but often can be found for a reasonable price.  A blend of  53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Slight funk in the glass which slightly blows off with air.  Cassis, cedar and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has nice fruit plums and cass along with some underlying spice/cedar.  Slightly drying tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl or meats.  It is close to peak but may still be a bit better.  It sh

Great showing for this chateau that I don't believe I had ever heard of much left tried.  It is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, and some spice.  On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  A nice complexity and depth. Cassis layered with earth and gravel.  Some tannins.  This probably won't improve from here but it should be good for another ten years at least.  It will work well with roasted meats or fowl and drinks well on its own.  A great value.  

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cassis and coffee.  On the palate, this has a nice depth and complexity.  Cassis fruit layered with spice and slight earthiness.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  Good finish.  This is a very pretty wine that just now seems to be closing in on peak.  There is some more upside to this wine.  It will work well with roasts or grilled foods.  

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.