90 Points
Double Gold & Best of Class - New World Intl. Wine Competition - Feb 2019
Double Gold - Orange County Fair - June 2019
Gold Medal - West Coast Wine Competition - Feb 2019
Gold Medal - Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge - April 2019
Gold Medal - International Women's - June 2019
Gold Medal - Sunset International Wine Competition - June 2019
The finish is long and expressive, with spiced fruit flavors lingering endlessly. Will drink well for 10-15 years.
VINEYARDS
The S&J Vineyard is made up of 206 acres of land located east of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa’s Capell Valley. Purchased in 2000, it is named for Darryl Frank’s children, Stella and Jeremy, and is planted to 58 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 9 acres of Petite Sirah and 9 acres of Zinfandel. The soils are fertile, well-drained and clay loam-based, reminiscent of the Rutherford Bench.
The Benjamin Vineyard is located east of Conn Creek Road in the heart of the Rutherford AVA. Purchased by Rich Frank in 2012, the 87-acre parcel was formerly known as Wood Ranch was renamed for Paul Frank’s son, and is planted with 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 acres of Petit Verdot, and 2 acres each of Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The vineyard is composed of gravelly loam soil as a result of sediment from the Conn Creek and Napa River which flowed through the region thousands of years ago.
Additional vineyard sources: Round Pond Estate in Rutherford; Delouise, Gaskins, and Shooting Star Vineyards located in Napa Valley.
Winemaker: Todd Graff
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 20 - October 22, 2016
Aging: 20 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels.
pH: 3.63
TA: 0.67 g/100ml
Alcohol %: 14.5%
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
94 Points
Rich and generous, with a deep purple hue. Aromas of crushed violets, ripe berries, blueberry pop-tarts, black currant, licorice, chocolate-coated espresso beans, allspice, and cedar box. Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture.
This golden-hued wine sings with a cornucopia of rich fruit balanced by high-toned, vibrant acidity. It opens with concentrated aromas of Asian pear, Gravenstein apple, and honeysuckle interspersed with mineral notes of wet river rock. Fresh flavors of White peach and Asian pear mingle on the palate with a touch of lemon zest and ripe stone fruits, boasting a beautifully creamy texture and vibrant finish.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, fresh sage, licorice, clove, and roasted black walnut.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
91 Points
This is primo fruit from high elevation vineyards in his Moon Mountain vineyard. Inky-black in the heart and purple blazing to the rim, offering up a nose of ripe cherry and violet, dried plums, figs, dates, and some black cherry. The first sip offers a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of chocolate with plenty of oomph. The palate builds as black and red berries mix with herb, exotic spices, and supple tannins to create a long, silky smooth finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
96 Points
Aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. The palate offers deep, lively and generous notes of ripe cherry, dark plum, raspberry and fresh currants are interlaced with hints of dried cranberry, milk chocolate, wild sage, and roasted walnut.
PDF