92 Points - Wine Review Online.com March 13, 2012
91 Points - California Grapevine March 1, 2012
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast September 1, 2012
Platinum - San Diego International Wine Competition - 2012
Gold Medal - Monterey Wine Competition - 2012
Frank Family Vineyards was only founded in 1992, but it has become such a recognized name in Napa Valley Cabernet that it feels like it must be a lot older than that; perhaps this is because they use the original Larkmead Winery building, established in 1884. Whatever the reason, Frank Family has established a reputation, making their wines difficult to come by in any circumstances, let alone at a discount. For this reason, we suggest you don’t miss out on the chance to snag some of their flagship wine, their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, on this rare occasion that it is available at a discount.
The 2009 vintage in Napa was somewhat variable in quality, thanks to a fairly cool growing season, but it was exactly the type of year in which a producer like Frank Family, which owns vineyards spotted all over Napa, can shine. Where a producer with all of their vineyards in one location might suffer in a vintage like this, Frank Family’s ability to blend from lots across the valley enables them to deliver a beautiful wine that both reflects the vintage and what you would expect from Napa Cabernet. The result is a classic Napa Cabernet, and not to be missed.
The 2009 Frank Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby in color, with a hint of purple. The nose leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry, leather, briar, coffee, and black currant. This youthful wine is still a little tight on the palate, but a few minutes of air reveal rich, expansive black fruit flavors, accompanied by cherry and cocoa notes. Vibrant yet supple, firm tannin carry the dark fruit flavors across the palate, with wonderful presence on the finish. A smaller amount of Merlot and Petit Verdot are added to this blend, which results in added complexity and a beautifully integrated blend. This wine is drinking well now, but should show at its best over the next 5 years, with plenty of aging potential beyond that. Don’t miss out on this chance to stock the cellar with one of Napa’s finest Cabernets.
Vintage: 2009
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon 3 % Merlot 3 % Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: Oct 21th - Oct 30 th 2009
Acid: 0.63 g/100ml
pH: 3.71
Aging: 20 months in 30% new and 70% once and twice-filled French oak barrels
Bottling Date: July 2011
Alcohol %: 14.5%
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
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.
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.
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.
