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
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.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
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.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
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.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
