CABERNET FRANC

SPECIFICATIONS

Clone 08
10 Acres
12th Leaf

 

From the Experts

This absolutely awesome Cabernet Franc begins with bright aromatics of red bell pepper, red cherry and rose petals. There are ripe flavors of red cherry, rose petals, red bell pepper, and pomegranate. This has wonderful purity of fruit and a lovely mouthfeel as this Cabernet Franc shows great elegance and poise. The structure is lovely and this will age well for a decade or more. (Best 2017-2027) – June, 2017 (OB)

 

93 points
International Wine Report,
2012 Echo Ridge Cabernet Franc

One of the most compelling Cabernet Franc wines that I have tasted from this vintage, the 2013 Echo Ridge opens with feminine aromas reminiscent of red cherry, red bell pepper, and red raspberry. The aromatics at play are truly pretty. The Cabernet Franc wine has flavors are dense and polished with red fruits and baking spices shining through. This will have a long life in the cellar and is best enjoyed in the next decade. (Best 2017-2027) – June, 2017 (OB)

 

93 points
International Wine Report,
2013 Echo Ridge Cabernet Franc

This is a blend of 66% Cabernet with the rest Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This awesome red wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, red cherry, red raspberry and dried herbs. This leads to flavors of red cherry, red raspberry and teaberry with sagebrush. The length and complexity is lovely here. (Best 2017-2027) – June, 2017 (OB)

 

92 points
International Wine Report,
2012 Echo Ridge Red Wine ‘Three Blondes and A Boy’

This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet 34% Cabernet Franc and 26% Merlot. The red wine opens with rich aromatics of black cherry, bleach olive, rose petals and red bell pepper with sagebrush accents. This leads to intense flavors of black tea, coffee grounds, milk chocolate and green bell pepper. This is a lovely mouthfeel and a plush texture finishing with some moderate tannins. I can see this settling a bit better after one year in the bottle. (Best 2018-2028) – June, 2017 (OB)

 

93 points
International Wine Report,
2013 Echo Ridge Red Wine ‘Three Blondes and A Boy’

Also solid and with excellent typicity, the 2010 Cabernet Franc delivers perfumed, complex aromas of tobacco, incense, smoke and both red and black berry styled fruit. Medium-bodied, juicy and lively on the palate, it’s a delicious effort that will evolve gracefully for 5-7 years.
Drink now – 2018.

 

90 points
Wine Advocate
2010 Echo Ridge Cabernet Franc

Bright deep red. Inviting floral lift to the aromas of blackberry, licorice, cocoa powder, spices and violet. Juicy, savory, and concentrated in the mouth, with red berry and rose petal flavors complicated by earth and spice nuances. Finishes with firm tannins that call for a few years of cellaring.

 

91+ points
Steven Tanzer
2011 Three Blondes and a Boy

Moderately saturated medium red. A slightly swampy mocha note blew off to reveal aromas of violet, rose, marzipan, herbs and green olive. Then unexpectedly sweet and creamy on the palate, with perfumed flavors of red fruits, flowers, tarragon and sage. Rich, tactile, lightly saline Cabernet Franc with lovely lingering perfume.

 

91 points
Steven Tanzer
2011 Echo Ridge Cabernet Franc

Crafted by Billo Naravane from Rasa Vineyards, this is Echo Ridge’s sole blend – a mix of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cab Franc and 17% Merlot – all from the estate vineyard in eastern Oregon. The blend proves to be a bit more complete than the single varietal offerings, with plum, anise, tobacco and a hint of coconut in the finish.

 

90 points
Wine Enthusiasts
2010 Three Blondes and a Boy

A step up, the 2010 In Order to Form a More Perfect Union is a decadent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that was aged in 60% new French oak. Offering up a hedonistically bent bouquet of black currant, smoked herbs, espresso, black olive and lead pencil shavings, it bursts onto the palate with a full-bodied, thick and voluptuous texture that partially conceals sound back-end concentration and structure. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade or longer. Drink now-2025.

 

94 points
Wine Advocate
2010 Rasa Vineyard Wines In Order to Form a
More Perfect Union

Checking in as a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2012 In Order to Form A More Perfect Union is both a classic Washington State Bordeaux blend, as well as a classic wine from this estate. It exhibits a deep ruby, mostly opaque color to go with lots of blackcurrants, grilled toast, graphite and dried-violet aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, pure, silky and yet still savory and focused, with a light, balanced feel, good acidity, and plenty of fine tannin that show on the chocolate-laced finish, it’s a beautiful wine that can be drunk anytime over the coming 10-15 years.

 

94 points
Wine Advocate
2012 Rasa Vineyards In Order to Form a
More Perfect Union

Building on the QED line, Rasa’s 2012 QED Axiom of Choice is a new cuvee made from 100% Cabernet Franc. It’s a thrilling Cabernet Franc, and I continue to be impressed with what this variety can acheive in Washington State. Blackcurrants, raspberries, forest floor, crushed flowers and hints of chocolate all emerge from the glass, and on the palate, this beautiful 2012 is medium to full-bodied, silky and polished, with fine tannin and a solid finish. Like all of the wines from the Naravane brothers, it’s well made, balanced and has the ability to drink nicely in its youth, yet age gracefully.

 

93 points
Wine Advocate
2012 Rasa Vinyard Wines QED “Axiom of Choice” Cabernet Franc

Good bright, deep red. Red berries, cherry, cocoa powder and licorice on the scented nose. Supple, saline and balanced but youthfully backward, offering red berry and floral flavors complicated by sexy spice notes (from the Allier oak barrels?). No easy sweetness here. Finishes with building, serious tannins that will require at least a few years of cellaring.

 

92+ points
Steven Tanzer
2010 Rasa Vineyard Wines In Order to Form a
More Perfect Union
(43% cabernet sauvignon, 41% merlot and 16% cabernet franc)

The grapes in this impressive Bordeaux style blend are sourced from five different vineyards: Echo Ridge, DuBrul, Kiona, Dionysus, and Weinbau. It is comprised of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot. This Cab dominant wine opens with aromas of blackberry, anise, red cherry and dill. There are flavors of blackberry, anise, black cherry and black olive. This has lovely mouthfeel and texture with a strong mineral backbone. Like many of the Rasa ’12 releases, this is tough not to enjoy now. Best 2015-2035.

 

94 points
Steven Tanzer
2012 Rasa Vineyard Wines In Order to Form a
More Perfect Union

Named for the preamble to the Constitution, this blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 11% Petit Verdot exhibits an opaque ruby color and an intense, smoky nose of blackberries, raspberries, cherries and plums, with scents of dried roses, sandalwood, cigar wrapper, black olives, leather, and dried orange peel. The flavors, as well, are deep and intense, with fleshy fruits that are imbued with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast, and loam and gravel earth. The back reveals macerated berries, dried cherries and plums, framboise liqueur, mocha, toffee and toasty oak, all gliding into a rich, lingering, sweet-dry tannin finish. Shows depth and complexity throughout.

 

20/20 points
Rand Sealey
Rasa Vinyard Wines 2012 In Order to Form a
More Perfect Union

It opens with lovely aromas of red cherry, crushed flowers, raspberry and dill. There are flavors of red cherry, pomegranate, anise and dill. Delicious and lithe with a wonderful minerality. Only 236 cases made of this delicious wine that is up there with the best Cab Franc produced in this state. Best 2015-2028

 

93 points
Steven Tanzer
2012 Rasa Vinyard Wines QED “Axiom of Choice” Cabernet Franc

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