The terrific, extremely textured 1999 Cabernet Franc boasts a floral and black fruit-scented nose with an underlying mineral/earthiness. The wine is medium to full-bodied with an ethereal sense of lightness. The finish goes on and on. There is plenty of sweet tannin to go along with the copious fruit and extract. Pride Mountain does an amazing job with Cabernet Franc. They somehow achieve superb flavor and aromatic intensity without the weight one would expect from a wine so rich and full. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018. Tel. (707) 963-4949

It’s standard these days for any Napa red to be soft, voluptuous and ripely fruity, with creamy tannins and an overlay of smoky oak. This is such a wine. It’s very good, although it lacks depth because Cab Franc on its own is rather shallow. —S.H.——S.H.(9/1/2002)—— 89