Cabernet Franc Blend

Dominus Estate

Napanook Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Pure pleasure. So red fruited (mostly cherry) & velvety I could’ve sworn this was a fantastic Merlot blend from Napa, but of course there isn’t a drop of Merlot (92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot) as Christian has declared Napa unsuitable for the variety these days. With filet au poivre. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister, "Odedi" and 7 others liked this

Clos Rougeard

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2007

Baller! A teenager you can’t wake up. Slow-moving right-bank Bdx without all the tannic baggage. More colors with every whiff. Wow. — 13 days ago

Steve, Peter and 8 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

This Opus is polished with aromas of blackberry and spice. On the palate it’s rich, with velvety tannins, dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of espresso. The finish is long and flavorful. — 18 days ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Andrew and 9 others liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.6

PnP. Dark, deep wine. Nose is dominated by coconut and vanilla. Lots of sweetness on the palate with a silky texture. This exceeded expectations although the bottle variation continues! — a month ago

Manish NagarBrooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Manish and Brooke
Manish, Paul and 9 others liked this

Harlan Estate

The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

Opened just prior to dinner. The 2007 pours a dark ruby/garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of BBQ Lay’s potato chips (fight me), prunes, dried brambles, leather, organic earth and mixed spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. It doesn’t taste like BBQ Lay’s but the fruit is definitely more of the dried/desiccated side. The finish is medium. Drink now. — 11 days ago

Douglas, Tom and 4 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Certainly provenance can play apart or it could be overblown for some palates. It is normally a big wine but 07 was a grand Napa vintage and should show some nice evolution by now. It is an RP 💯. So, somewhat surprising. The tasting I am doing in April all the vintages except the 94 are 💯.pointers. The 1994 recieved a 98. We’ll see.🤞
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I should say the 07 Estate received a 💯, not The Maiden.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T I’ve had my fair share of big Cabernets but this just didn’t impress me. It was good, just not great. I didn’t expect more, I just wasn’t that taken by it. Again, might have been related to provenance but without an obvious flaw and considering the style of the wine, it might also just be how the wine is showing these days.

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower.
— a month ago

Ted, Tom and 5 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021

What a find at this restaurant. My first sassicaia. Rich and almost thick, but not overly fruity and in balance. Clearly a special wine. — 4 days ago

Mike MillerAnne MillerChris MacLean
with Mike, Anne and 1 other
Mike, "Odedi" and 7 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

New release but showing so much promise. Getting a lot of red fruit, minerals, and well integrated oak. Beauty! — 13 days ago

Ted, Ray and 9 others liked this

Château Clinet

Pomerol Merlot Cabernet Franc 2009

Youthful that needs some air. This was rich, full bodied with notes of dark cherry, berry fruit, sweet savory spices, menthol, violet & tobacco — 5 days ago

Andrew, Ira and 15 others liked this

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

New vintage of Justin’s flagship blend. A bit more constrained, but elegant and delicious as always. At 86% cab, is it really a blend? lol. Nice cassis notes. — 20 days ago

Martijn liked this