2006 Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc North Coast - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/20/2008)
Wow! This smells like ripe, full throttle Cali pinot. With complete confidence, that’s what I would have said if it were served blind to me. Very unexpected. Pinot on the palate too. Tastes like ripe SLH pinot. Round rich mid-palate. Texturally I found no edges. Light tannins clip the finish a bit. So much fruit. I don’t know what to say. I did enjoy the wine but would not have guessed it as Cab Franc.
2005 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Theurons - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (10/17/2008)
This is a sub $40 beauty. I loved how the aromatics blended complexity and subtlety. Slightly toasty. Lit bits of cinnamon spice followed by just enough earthy funk. By the end of the night the nose was showing more oak. The wine hits your mouth with a burst of cranberry and lemonade. Lots of berry flavors. Not shy on oak but I thought it fit nicely. Long finish with strong tannins keeping it all together. This should age just fine. It will be hard for me to keep my hands off them but I am going to let my other bottles sleep. (92 pts.)