2012 Winery of the Year - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
Best of Class - SF Chronicle Wine Competition
90 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
90 Points - The Tasting Panel
90 Points - Wine Spectator
The 2011 growing season in Northern California was one of the coldest ever, and was punctuated by heavy rain at the beginning of October. Because of these difficulties, members of the wine press have already maligned the vintage, and expectations are low. But with so few wines yet on the market it seems a little early to make that call, and in fact, many of the wines we have tried have been quite lovely. While cold, wet weather could certainly ruin an entire vintage a cooler region in Europe, here in California we usually have plenty of heat, so a cool vintage may just mean that the wines are a little less ripe, with a bit more acidity. For some people, this may be perfect! Today’s offering, from Frank Family Vineyards in Napa shows just how beautiful an elegantly made wine from 2011 can be.
The 2011 Frank Family Napa Valley Chardonnay is pale straw color, with aromas of lemon, apple, kiwi, and lime. The palate shows richness for the vintage, but with a nice backbone of a acidity. Tropical flavors of mango and papaya mingle with apple and citrus to create a fresh, vibrant mouthfeel. It's truly classic Napa Chardonnay, with plenty of power and perfect balance. A nice pairing with a plate of mixed cheeses and a crunchy baguette. The perfect wine to enjoy or share with friends & family!
Vintage: 2011
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 27th - October 14th, 2011
Acid: 0.80 g/100ml TA
pH: 3.45
Aging: Barrel fermented 10 months maturation in 34% new French oak and 65% once and twice filled French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 14.2%
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Violet black in color with aromas of rich fruity dark berries, honeycomb, vanilla, and hints of forest floor join together with bold flavors of black cherry, and spiced nut. Balanced oak, layered palette, leaving you with a enjoyable persistent finish.
Big & Jammy!
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
Rich & Tropical...
Notes of tropical and ripe stone fruits, with aromas of fig, golden apple and hints of butterscotch, integrated with the richer aromas of light caramel, truffle and toasted vanilla from the oak aging. The palate and texture is rich, full-bodied and creamy, while maintaining a balanced vibrancy and finish.
