Horton Vineyards makes over 40 different types of wines. A concentration on quantity versus quality? Not when it comes to the 2007 Cabernet Franc. Such a high score and this wine deserves it. I always decant my red wine if I'm going to review it. After 15 minutes, I poured a sample into my glass and immediately concluded something interesting – notes of honey BBQ ribs and hints of leather.
The Cabernet Franc was velvety smooth on the palette giving a warm, friendly sensation towards the back of the tongue. Breathing in the aroma during a sip, the mouth expects it to be acidic but instead it's fairly minimal. Any acidity is mostly perceived near the tip of the tongue. The taste is not followed through with BBQ ribs but rather of lightly cured bacon, balanced by hints of violets, a huge presence of oak and a peppery and spicy finish. One can easily distinguish this wine's complexity upon further sipping.
Not only is this wine beautiful on the palette but the color is quite nice – a light ruby red. I snapped this picture of the wine in my decanter held up to a bright light.
Unfortunately the packaging comes off as bargain-store wine. Even though $10-15 is a bargain for this wine, what it offers is much more advanced and refined than what is being represented on the label design. Surprise!! It's a picture of grapes on a wine label!
I like this wine because it's amazingly friendly for non-red drinkers because of its well-rounded, medium body. However, it isn't off the spectrum for avid red drinkers who don't mind heavier, full-bodied reds. I can imagine this wine to pair nicely with burgers, red meat, and even veggie burgers that have a flame-broiled flavoring. This could be a great cookout wine – ideal for autumn or early spring but light enough for red drinkers to savor it in the summer. Horton calls it their pasta wine but I tend to find that a little contrived. Maybe it has been compared to a Chianti? Who knows. After all, it's Horton. It comes of as a little unexpected.
Horton reports that this is 100% steel fermented and then barrel aged (new and once used American and French oak). Now we know where the oak comes from! This Cabernet Franc is the first to use traditional blending variety, Tannat (16%). This wine is a recent release (January 2010).
California and France should be a little concerned or at least put on notice.
Year: 2007
Vineyard: Located in Orange County, VA
13% Alcohol
Sweetness: 1 of 10
Dryness: 5 of 10
Tannins: 7 of 10
Acidity: 4 of 10
Body: 6 of 10
Flavors: Lightly-cured Bacon, Pepper, Violets, Tar and Oak
Ideal Season to Savor: Autumn/Early Spring, All year for avid red drinkers
Visit Horton Vineyards and let me know your thoughts!!
Open Daily 10am to 5pm
6399 Spotswood Trail
Gordonsville, VA 22942
No comments:
Post a Comment