TN 2003 Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc

After visiting Pride with Todd last week and buying my usual small allotment of the Cab Franc (2007 version that was great), I decided to see how some of the prior vintages have fared. I have had a debate with Father Sax who believes that the Pride regular bottling have not fared well beyond 5 years post harvest. Sax is not a fan of long term aging of the Reserves as well. Since I am no longer on the Reserve list and still only hold a few 97 and 99 Reserves it is not really an issue to me anymore.
I opened a 2001 Cab Franc that was still great and a 2002 that was not.
Tonight it is time to try the 2003. This was not a great vintage for many Cabernets and Pride in particular. I had no real expectations of greatness in this wine and was very surprised. Unlike the 02 that was light, uninspiring and tepid, the 03 has a great profile of blue and black fruits, mint and scorched earth. The palate is large framed, dark fruits and some slight alcohol that has burned considerably with time in the glass. It is superior to the 02 and not quite the whole package of the 01.
The debate with Sax is ongoing. This wine is 6 years post harvest and still has some time for me to happily finish my few bottles.
JB flirtysmile flirtysmile flirtysmile [thumbs-up.gif]
Three and one half flirties. No great rush to drink, but drink if you wish.