NOSE: expressive; red-fruited with a noticeable vegetal element, but not the strong pyrazine/bell pepper kind of note one would typically associate with Chinon — this is a more mild pyrazine.
BODY: non-branded conglomerate cork closure; medium bodied.
TASTE: high acidity; some tannins present; juicy and purple-fruited; some smoky oak – reminiscent of a Highlands malt somewhat; very nice, and I think it would benefit from some short-term cellaring. Day 3: doing good; still a bit more oak than I’d prefer, but this very well could absorb with a bit of age. I like this – it’s ripe, but not anonymous; it does not come across as a Cabernet Sauvignon, which I sometimes get with Cabernet Franc, particularly from the USA. Drink or Hold, and I do see some room for improvement.
NOSE: noticeable pyrazine lurking behind up-front scents of spiced florals, ballpoint ink, and red fruits (red licorice); a touch alcoholic.
BODY: garnet-violet color of medium-deep depth; medium to medium-full bodied; little bit of chunky sediment present; conglomerate cork.
TASTE: juicy, with high acidity; a bit hot; light tannins; little bit of funk or reduction at the 1.5hrs open mark; river stones mineral aspect, and a hint of powdery bitter florals, too. 13.4% alc. is noticeable, surprisingly. Drink or Hold.
2019 Ladd Cellars Cabernet Franc Giesler Baron Vineyard - USA, California, Sierra Foothills (6/9/2026)
– cork pulled 45 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over 1.5 hrs on Day 1; revisited over 2 hrs on Day 2 –
NOSE fairly expressive == strawberry Twizzlers, and a hint of VA. Day 2: juicy purple berries; very faint pyrazine; not obviously C.F..
BODY: med.-light bodied; ruby-violet color medium to medium-deep depth; some chunk sediment present.
TASTE: spiky acid, with medium-grained tannins; juicy; red/purple fruit mix; there is an oak presence that initially had me wondering if there is a touch of mousiness here, but I ultimately dismissed that idea. Fairly ripe, but not thick. Day 2: still a bit spiky; light pyrazine; light garrigué; light oak. Drink Now and over the near term. Gut impression score: 89 – 91.
