Dinner Wine Course - Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinot Noir, Domenico Clerico Barolo, & Cavalchina Bianco del Veneto Passito
Wine flight course to accompany dinner at Bill & Beth C's - Artisan cheeses, Belevitano fused with syrah and aged sharp cheddar with fresh fruits, dinner salad, and main course of Spinach, Italian Sausage and three cheese Lasagna.
Both of the Frank Family wines opened a bit tight, forward and a slightly off balanced and awkward - each to turn after a half hour to reveal a nicely balanced, polished, harmony of several layers of flavors.
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir 2009 - After an initial forward astringency, it settles into a soft medley of wild berries, rhubarb, dark cherry, and black raspberry with a hint of smoke and cedar with nicely integrated refined tannins.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1155908
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - After initial tightness and slightly awkward forward fruits it bursts with medium to full bodied blackberry, black raspberry flavors with layer of dark chocolate mocha, black cherry, hints of black tea, spice and cedar.
RM 91 points.
Bill's Review - Fabulous from the get go. Opens with lots of light fruit, cherry and raspberry, but a little tight. After 30 min, opens beautifully and evolves to large overtones of mocha, spice and leather. As nicely as this opens, it is almost a crime not to let this breathe.
WCC 95 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=953521
Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Montin Ginestra 2005 - Full bodied, dark garnet colored, subdued black cherry, blackberry, dusty rose petals with hint of leather and touch of smoke with black fruits on the lingering tannin finish.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=289168
To accompany fresh baked apple pie and vanilla bean ice cream -
Cavalchina Bianco del Veneto Passito 2004 - Full bodied and thick - apple fruits, subtle tangerine, apricot and peach flavors are overtaken by smoke and nut on a full flavorful lingering finish.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=436980
http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/
In process, more to come ....
Both of the Frank Family wines opened a bit tight, forward and a slightly off balanced and awkward - each to turn after a half hour to reveal a nicely balanced, polished, harmony of several layers of flavors.
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir 2009 - After an initial forward astringency, it settles into a soft medley of wild berries, rhubarb, dark cherry, and black raspberry with a hint of smoke and cedar with nicely integrated refined tannins.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1155908
Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - After initial tightness and slightly awkward forward fruits it bursts with medium to full bodied blackberry, black raspberry flavors with layer of dark chocolate mocha, black cherry, hints of black tea, spice and cedar.
RM 91 points.
Bill's Review - Fabulous from the get go. Opens with lots of light fruit, cherry and raspberry, but a little tight. After 30 min, opens beautifully and evolves to large overtones of mocha, spice and leather. As nicely as this opens, it is almost a crime not to let this breathe.
WCC 95 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=953521
Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Montin Ginestra 2005 - Full bodied, dark garnet colored, subdued black cherry, blackberry, dusty rose petals with hint of leather and touch of smoke with black fruits on the lingering tannin finish.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=289168
To accompany fresh baked apple pie and vanilla bean ice cream -
Cavalchina Bianco del Veneto Passito 2004 - Full bodied and thick - apple fruits, subtle tangerine, apricot and peach flavors are overtaken by smoke and nut on a full flavorful lingering finish.
RM 89 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=436980
http://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/
In process, more to come ....
