The fully mature 2001 Cabernet Franc is a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot offering an intriguing nose of tree bark, mushrooms, earth and spice (reminiscent of some California Mourvedres). It stands out as a very different animal when tasted in the company of Pride’s Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. It reveals more oak than its siblings, and with prolonged aeration, pure, dark fruit characteristics as well as an underbrush, foresty component emerge. I suspect it is a “l(fā)ove it or leave it” style of wine. I was actually indifferent to it on first sip, but with airing, the wine grew incrementally, becoming very impressive, so don’t jump to conclusions and discount it. It should drink well for another 7-8 years.
These impressive 2001s from Pride Mountain Vineyards were made during the regime of Bob Foley and the late Jim Pride. The two most limited production cuvees are the Reserve Claret and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which are almost impossible to find.
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