2005, 2014, 2015 Frank Family "Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon & Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Lot

“A great wine that combines the modern, ultraripe winemaking style with Rutherford’s fine, complex tannins and herbs. Feels plush and velvety in the mouth, exploding in blackberry, cherry, cassis and chocolate flavors grounded with sweet sage. An ager.” (03/2009)

“Firm, intense and concentrated, with a mix of earthy, racy currant, anise, sage and underbrush. Full-bodied, with tight tannins and a long finish, where the loamy tannins return. Drink now through 2016.” (06/2009)

“Pure and elegant, with generous, supple plum, cherry and raspberry notes that are supported by fine, ripe tannins that give the flavors traction and length. (JL)” (10/2017)

“Sometimes it is not such a bad thing to be the baby brother, and this wine is a clear case in point. It shares its siblings' bent to richness and to expressed yet well-measured ripeness, and, if it is somewhat less tannic, it comes with plenty of youthful astringency and is sure to keep in the cellar for four to eight years. That it may not reach the heights of grandeur expected of its siblings is no crime when a wine is this good.” (08/2017)

“Brightly perfumed with violet aromas, this is a soft, round and voluptuously lush red wine. Full-bodied, it shows leather and baked black cherry notes. (VB)” (12/2017)

“The least expensive wine of this grouping is Frank Family Vineyards’ 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, which is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Attractive blackcurrant fruit, chocolate and spice along with some subtle background forest floor and coffee emerge from the aromatics and flavors of this medium to full-bodied, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are soft, and the wine juicy and impressive. (RP)” (12/2016)

“Frank Family's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a very pretty, succulent wine to drink now and over the next few years. This is an especially ripe, forward style. Super-ripe black cherries, mint, licorice and sweet spices are pushed forward. (AG)” (09/2016)

“Blended of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose of cassis, blackberries and black cherries, with cedar, Marmite toast and pencil shavings nuances. (LPB)” (10/2017)

“If far from a soft and simple wine, the winery's basic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is far more approachable than any of its maker's more ambitious bottlings, and, although not without a bit of youthful raggedness and nominal varietal tannins, it is not dissuasively tough and astringent if poured as a partner to juicy steaks and chops even now. That said, it is bound to be helped by even a short stay in the cellar, and we see it keeping comfortably for six or seven years.” (12/2018)

“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is gracious and medium in body, with good energy and fine balance, especially for an appellation-level wine. Sweet red cherry and floral notes are nicely lifted in this mid-weight, open-knit Cabernet. (AG)” (06/2018)

“This has a flattering, lush feel, offering creamy layers of raspberry, plum and boysenberry fruit flavors liberally laced with melted licorice and sweet toast notes. Just juicy enough to keep this honest; for fans of the flashy style though. (JM)” (01/2019)