2010 The Prior Cabernet Franc
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A wine that seems too light and elegant without enough meat and density is the 2010 Cabernet Franc The Prior. It reveals some attractive mulberry and fresh herb-like notes, but it never offers much intensity. The finish offers a less than impressive mouthfeel. This is a project of Mike Hirby and Schatzi Throckmorton, whom I first met when they were working in the cellars of Behrens and Hitchcock. They also produce some Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast which I will review in the October issue. Tel. (707) 967-9380
Punteggi della critica
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Altre recensioni e punteggi
(15.1% alcohol; an 80/20 blend of cabernet franc and malbec; two-thirds from Stagecoach Vineyard): Good deep color. Expressive nose melds blackberry, licorice, crushed stone, violet and dark chocolate. Broad, concentrated and sweet if a bit less powerful than usual for this bottling, showing good lift to its deep red fruit and tobacco flavors. Strong fruit here, but today the tannins come across as a touch aggressive. Finishes with black fruit flavors and a whiff of rosemary.
(82% cabernet franc, 13% malbec and 5% cabernet sauvignon): Licorice, herbs and violet on the nose; very cabernet franc. Juicy, spicy and tight, with a firm spine to support the rather powerful flavors of black fruits, violet, licorice and spices. Here too the tongue-saturating tannins are a bit tough, but the wine's intense floral character suggests that it will repay patience. Made from fruit "all over the valley," according to Hirby.