**** 2005 Windsor Russian River Cabernet Franc (F5), Sonoma County, CA – Review and Rating

Posted by Ben in 2005, General, Other, cabernet francDec 5th, 2009 | No Comments Original Review, August, 2008: This is second sampling of the 2005 Windsor Russian River Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County, CA. Grapes were frozen from Brehm Vineyards. First tasting was during our 2005 vintage blending party in the fall of 2006.

Let's see how it's doing with a bit of age. In the glass, this is quite light and translucent, with colors of brick and red. Aroma is fruity, moderately bright, with a blast of medium-toasty oak. On the palate, the first note is a sweet blast of bright fruit in the middle of your mouth. That sweet friendliness slides along your tongue and to the sides of your mouth. There it delivers just a pinch of cheek-tightening acid. Flavors are rich, ripe blackberry and red cherries. Tannins seem mild, but moderate additional aging certainly seems possible. Three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale, with an additional plus for friendly approachability.


During the blending party, we said: "fruit, light aroma, nice tannin balance (*), flavorful, high tannin, alcohol (85), cherry/cab, mid tight tannin, mid fruit, mid acid, mid alcohol, richest so far".
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Updated Review, January, 2009: Medium red in the glass, seems to have picked up a bit of deepness in the middle. Aromas are now more serious, inky, with oak/alcohol overlay. On the palate, this is tight, taut, pulling at the sides of your cheek and your tongue. It's saying "feed me, feed me". It wants. What I think it wants is time. It's not a time for it to yield,
though. I'll leave the score, but definitely put it away for awhile. A pretty long while.

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Another updated review, December, 2009: Still medium red. Aromas still have a now-richer inkiness, with oak and black cherry notes, along with a brighter red berry twang. Now a yeast cherry creaminess - not sweet though - comes across in the mid-palate. Plays with the cherry fruit on the sides of your cheeks. Tannins and acids freeze-frame the taut fruit, holding it in your cheeks til the next sip. Serious stuff, now becoming drinkable. Decant opens it up even further. Yum. Classic California cabernet. Four stars now with the additional bottle age. Could be good for a few more years too. Whoohoo!

Blending the 2005’s: Tough Work but SOMEONE’S got to do it!

Posted by Ben in 2005, General, Other, Pinot Noir, blend, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandelJun 7th, 2009 | No Comments Further explore wine blending.

Start with eight or ten single varietals from a vintage that is getting ready to be drinkable, line 'em up and figure out the blends that may work. A hundred sips later, you may have a few workable blends.

Indeed, for the 2005's, I did manage a couple worth noting.

PM5 (Carneros Sonoma Pinot Noir(P5)/Carneros Napa Merlot 2005 (M'5)): First, the Sonoma Pinot Noir (P5) is still taut - but mixing with 1/2 measure of another bright varietal, the Carneros Napa Merlot (M'5) gives it just a bit of fruit and brightness. So this combo, which I'll code as PM5, is probably a good serving option for the 2005 Pinot Noir for the longer term. Corlor is deep ruby red. Aromatics are subtle, with a touch of red currant fruit. Bright palate, but spreading clean fruit in the middle. Still some tannins for age. Clean finish. I like this better than either of the components, so that makes for a successful blend.

B5 (Bordeaux blend 2005: State Lane Yountville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (CS5)/Carneros Sonoma Merlot (M5)/Russian River Sonoma Cabernet Franc (F5)): Each of these wines had a similar style - ready to drink, silky, lightly aromatic. Together, they comprise an excellent blend. In the glass, very deep red, hints of brick. Aromas are solid, sweet and yielding, just a little bit leafy. On the palate, a lightly sweet, bold and balanced attack in the front - wonderful tannins, aromatic deep red fruits, outstanding lingering finish. One of the best ever from Chez Ray! Each of the components is an outstanding offering in its own right, but I loved the balance in the blend.

A5 (Aromatic blend 2005: Russian River Sonoma Zinfandel (Z5)/Rutherford Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (CR5)): Both of these wines were stand-outs as aromatically-rich, quite youthful, bright wines. The combo makes a uniquely potent, aromatic blend. Color is very deep red, almost opaque. Nose is rich, sweet and inky - black sweet ink that you want to guzzle from the fountain pen like it's a lick'em'aid stick. On the palate, a sweet, viscous, peppery assault runs across your mouth. The powerful tannins stick to the roof and sides of your mouth, bringing the rich, black nectar slowly down. Takes a minute or more to dislodge from the crevices. Awesomely lingering finish. Not for the faint of heart. Sweet steroids. Can mellow out for years to come.