Methode Sauvage
Bates Ranch Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Franc
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Old Man edition. Not sure if I opened up to soon from bottle shock, but nose was sour and overly tart. Palate was completely different, had tasty fresh dark red fruits (cranberry & raspberry), with hints pencil like minerality. Finished with a balanced tannin structure, not too firm. Was mostly thrown off by aroma, but tasted great. Have a couple to test out in the near future.
Old Man edition. Not sure if I opened up to soon from bottle shock, but nose was sour and overly tart. Palate was completely different, had tasty fresh dark red fruits (cranberry & raspberry), with hints pencil like minerality. Finished with a balanced tannin structure, not too firm. Was mostly thrown off by aroma, but tasted great. Have a couple to test out in the near future.
Dec 21st, 2017
Quite possibly the best California Cabernet Franc EVER. Dark-night plum in color, with a bouquet of spicy pine, raspberry, and your favorite pair of heavy denim Levi's freshly laundered. As for the taste, I'm floored. How it is possible for briny blackberries, dehydrated green bell pepper, with hints of toasted blueberries and big flakes of black pepper to come together smoother than lube is beyond me.
Quite possibly the best California Cabernet Franc EVER. Dark-night plum in color, with a bouquet of spicy pine, raspberry, and your favorite pair of heavy denim Levi's freshly laundered. As for the taste, I'm floored. How it is possible for briny blackberries, dehydrated green bell pepper, with hints of toasted blueberries and big flakes of black pepper to come together smoother than lube is beyond me.
1 person found it helpfulDec 19th, 2016
Pencil lead and mint dominate the nose. Not much fruit t speak of. Medium weighted in the mid with sneaky tannin creeping up on the back. A introspective version of Cab Franc that seems complex, but leaves me wanting more.
Pencil lead and mint dominate the nose. Not much fruit t speak of. Medium weighted in the mid with sneaky tannin creeping up on the back. A introspective version of Cab Franc that seems complex, but leaves me wanting more.
Jan 27th, 2017
Minimal intervention with good acidity and savory component that draws you to glass....slightly cloudy
Minimal intervention with good acidity and savory component that draws you to glass....slightly cloudy
Apr 9th, 2017Had with a burger. Opened up nicely.
Had with a burger. Opened up nicely.
Mar 11th, 2017
Needs an hour for the volatile/funk to resolve itself. Then black pepper, fresh, vibrant juicy black raspberry. Loire-ish but a little lusher on the back end (oh hey we're in California). Better on day two with a slight chill on it.
Needs an hour for the volatile/funk to resolve itself. Then black pepper, fresh, vibrant juicy black raspberry. Loire-ish but a little lusher on the back end (oh hey we're in California). Better on day two with a slight chill on it.
Jan 21st, 2017
my first cab franc. super delicious and smooth.
my first cab franc. super delicious and smooth.
Jan 14th, 2017This wine is a Santa Cruzian cousin of Air Guitar. Cool climate cab shining bright from on of my favorite AVAs and a great old site. Delicious.
This wine is a Santa Cruzian cousin of Air Guitar. Cool climate cab shining bright from on of my favorite AVAs and a great old site. Delicious.
Dec 27th, 2016