Napa Valley may be best known for its Cabernet, but Chardonnay has been just as important, even scoring a victory over the best Chardonnays from France in the famous judgment of Paris contest in 1976. The key to successful chardonnay in Napa is proper site selection; Chardonnay does best in the cooler southern areas, including Carneros, as opposed to the warmer, northern part of the valley. Frank Family sources their Chardonnay from cool sites like these, resulting in a balanced, bright wine that doesn’t suffer from the excessive ripeness or oak that plagues so much Napa Chard.
The 2008 Frank Family Napa Chardonnay is pale gold in color, with powerful aromas of lemon, kiwi, and lime, with a hint of toast. The palate is rich with baked pear and apple butter, and lovely acidity to hold these flavors through a long, clean finish. This wine has good presence and poise, allowing it to pair with a variety of foods. It is perfect for stronger fish flavors like swordfish, or with goat cheese or creamy pasta sauces. Stock up on this now, and you will be thanking yourself this summer as you sip a glass on the patio!
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 6th - October 1st, 2008
Acid: 0.67 g/100ml TA
PH: 3.65 pH
Barrel Aging:
11 Months
34% New French Oak
33% Once used French Oak
33% Twice used French Oak
Alcohol %: 14.4
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
95 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
