The history of Freemark Abbey began in 1886, when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California. The historic site where Josephine's winery, Tychson Cellars, once stood is now known as Freemark Abbey. A blend of 83.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.2% Merlot, 4.4% Malbec, & 3% Petit Verdot, dark red with dark berry fruit aromas. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors with bits of leather, cacao and oak notes. Tannins are soft and balanced with acidity. Nice. — 8 years ago
Still in good shape which is no easy task for a 2004 California Chard — 10 years ago
Wine club wine #3. Favorite of wine club so far. Not too fruity or bold. Middle of the road in flavor. — 10 years ago
Pretty mix of fresh herbs, melon and grapefruit. — 11 years ago
Showing great tonight. Didn't take formal notes, but I did like the structure. Serving temperature will be essential! Keep this monster cool. — 12 years ago
Thanks Yoon - awesome recommendation — 12 years ago
1.5L More of a good thing! — 4 years ago
So, I’m of the opinion that Gerhard Reisacher’s sweet spot is Cabernet Franc. This 2009 isn’t quite as good as his 2007 - that is the best 100% cab franc I’ve ever had - but this is damn close. No trace of the bell pepper you typically get from people picking the fruit too early, this is a terrific wine with notes of something reminiscent of roasted chipotle pepper, black pepper, and currant. Medium-to-full bodied palate with a silky, mouthfilling feel leading to a lingering finish. This is nothing like a cab franc from The Loire - pure California - but a terrific wine nonetheless. Winemakers would do well to take lessons from Gerhart on how to handle this varietal. — 5 years ago

2014 fantastic — 7 years ago
Full-bodied little bit of smoking spice big dark red fruit — 7 years ago
Thank you Michael! Very nice CF!
— 9 years ago
Nice, honey and morning meadow — 10 years ago
2010 vintage — 10 years ago
Knights valley gem!
— 11 years ago
Scrumditlyioumtions! — 12 years ago
Excellent+ — 5 years ago
Good deal at Costco. Big wine will likely drink better in 2022-2025. Might then merit 9.2+ rating, but I’m not ready to bet big on that and buy a bunch b/c the vanillan is too damn strong and takes too long to off-gas. Vanilla from the French Oak would be wonderful, but this has that fake vanilla that sticks in the back of the throat and destroys the wine straight out of the bottle, at least for now, Nov 9, 2020. HOWEVER, after a whirl around the blender (= decant for hours) things drastically improved. The next day = MUCH better. No more fake vanilla aftertaste at all. Next day notes: Big entry w/ some heat I bet on 15% alcohol. This heat returns to linger nicely on the lush finish. Lush is the right word: Dark fruits, plum, blackberry, with a hint of stems/leaves too. Tobacco, allspice, black pepper come in mid palate and stick around a while too. Ok. Well worth buying two bottles to lay down :-) — 5 years ago
Still great. Past prime. Lost some acid and brightness. But sage and violet. Not the usual spice of delectus. Very soft tannins mid palate. — 7 years ago
A replacement for the Pairing as a Marry Edwards regular bottle. Definitely sharper and less pronounced stone fruit, but nicely balanced and went well with all dinner courses. Bottles went too fast to see how they opened, so questionable still as a stand-alone (probably great); high marks for elevating the usual crisp white wine dishes. — 7 years ago
This has so much more cocoa than the 2008. Great big bright red fruit. A lot les herbal qualities as well. Just perfect right now. I’m interested to look at the vintage charts for these years in knights valley. For some reason I thought 2008 was a pretty good year, but 2009 is tasting better. — 8 years ago
Wow. What's there to say. Silly some Syrah. Yummy. — 9 years ago
Fabulous with ribeye and family. — 10 years ago
Pretty solid. It definitely kept me coming back for more. It has been a while since a big Cab Sauv has made my taste buds perk up. — 11 years ago
Nummy with a 24 day dry aged grass fed ribeye. — 12 years ago
Joe Flo
Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc drinking great so drink up — 4 years ago