Peninsula Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc: Review

Peninsula Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc

Peninsula Cellars

Old Mission Peninsula

Hog’s Back Vineyard & Ligon Vineyard

PeninsulaCellars.com

$25.00

13% abv

Appearance: a pretty crimson body with a ruby edge

Aroma just after opening: reminds me walking into a wine room at a winery; nice aromatic berry bowl and a touch of spice

Aroma after allowed to breathe: blackberry, black plum, black currant with a nice touch of spice.  The dark berry notes seemed to be a little more discernible after the wine opened up.

Flavors: boysenberry, raspberry, currant, hint of earth, as the wine opens a slight tart cranberry with a touch of toasted oak, light spice probably coming from the oak, flavors come together well

Mouthfeel: mixed berries on the delivery and mid; light spice on mid and finish; smooth – they use the word elegant on the bottle to describe the mouthfeel;

My Strength Rating: 6 – just limping into the medium-full range

To the Point: I like this Franc; I only bought one bottle – I’ll have to get some more.  

Ironstone 2008 Cabernet Franc: Review

Lodi Appellation

14.5%abv

Ironstone Vineyards

Murphys, California, USA

Ironstonevineyards.com

$25.00 restaurant price

I bought this at a restaurant near my summer place in Grindstone, Michigan.  I have not been to this place in 8 years.  Since my usual place is closing soon I thought I would check out another.  The food was very good and here is the wine that I had with dinner.

Appearance: deep garnet in color

Aroma: dark berries and light earthiness

Flavors: pretty simple here, dark berries, sweet bing cherry, earthy

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, cherry-berry aftertaste, tannins are undercontrol and the acidity seems simple enough. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – not what I would expect from a Cab Franc.  Too simple.

To the Point: a below average Cab Franc.  I would expect this at a bar, dinner or a low end restaurant.  This wine might go good with pizza but not the filet that I enjoyed. 

Terre di Ger Cabernet Franc 2007

This Italian red wine has a lovely nose of ripe red fruits and spice. The taste profile has a great peppery style. To me it is the pepper mill that has all the different peppercorns: black, green, white, and pink pepper. This wine would be great to pair with a soup or salad and you would not have to add any pepper to the soup just drink the wine. There is also a tasty red currant note swirling around behind that peppery profile.

Pairings: Portabella Mushroom Soup, Portabella Mushroom Cap, Venison Steaks, Porterhouse.