Wine: Peju 2007 Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Napa Valley
Alc: 14.1%
Price: $45
Haydn gives it: 90pts

Much like the Carignane grape, the Cabernet Franc can be easily overshadowed by some bigger name varietals. Yet it’s importance and character is crucial in some of the best Bordeaux (blends) around. And while at times it can easily take a supporting role, the wine by itself is easily able to hold it’s own.

Such is the case (no pun intended) with Peju’s 2007 Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley, grown at the estate’s Persephone Ranch Vineyard located in Pope Valley. The ’07 spent 16 months in barrel and then was given a chance to take a nap for a year. The wine was just released this month (July).

The wine displays lovely notes of tobacco, a bit of smoke, perhaps off of a wooded plank, as well as a bit of black currant. It’s dark, deep, and a tad mysterious due to it’s large tannin structure. Peju is suggesting the tannins will mellow out in a year. If so, the wine will start to roar right around Christmas time. I imagine that once the tannins settle, this wine will truly sparkle. It has a great potential to do so and can turn out to be one stellar Cabernet Franc. Cellar and drink within about 4-6 years.

Cheers,
Haydn

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com

There was something for everyone at July’s Crush Barrel Wine Market, from bubbly bruts to earthy Bordeaux blends. The event was set at Fort Mason, in San Francisco, where wine enthusiasts could try and buy, directly from the winery. Here are the top picks of the market:

Best of Show – Stein Family

A new discovery and overall best of show winner was Stein Family Winery. Josh Stein was on hand to personally pour his two wines— a 2009 Los Carneros Semi-Dry Gewürztraminer and his Just Joshin 2007 Tempranillo, from the Sierra Foothills. The Gewürztraminer was beautiful with honeysuckle and rose pedals on the mid-palate with a big of orange and lemon to round it out. A touch of residual sugar adds to this wine, kicking up the acidity a bit and making it a desirable wine for my next outing to a thai restaurant.

The tempranillo further illustrated that, to me, the grape is Cabernet’s baby sister. It ripe and ready to drink now, though you might want to wait a few years for the soft tannins to further settle. There’s a bit of blueberries and red berries mixed with a mocha aspect, further added by a dusting of dirt (terrior). Tempranillos have a higher bit of acidity, making it perfect for your next lamb shank dish.

Here are a few other noteworthy wines of the Crush Barrel Wine Market:

Aver Family Vineyard 2007 Homage (Syrah) – The wine is tasting beautifully right now. The tannins have somewhat resided and what you are left with is a medium spice coupled with a bit of vanilla and dark berries. It’s ready to drink now, though you could lay this down for another few years.

Ricardus Corculum 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Using a mixture of new French Oak as well and neutral, Ricardus Corculum has crafted a beautiful Cab. Blackberries can be found both on the mid-palate, along with a cedar plank spice and a bit of mocha. The wine is clean, with good, strong tannins. This is a wine that you’ll want to lay down for 10+ years.

R&B Cellars Fortissimo “Port” Desert Wine – A beautiful wine to finish off the wine tasting. I coupled this with a few chocolates from different tables to really get this port to shine. Tobacco, leather and plum can easily be found in this wine. It’s thick and leathery; simply beautiful.

Cheers,
Haydn

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County (and at times, Napa Valley) looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com.

By Robin Barr Sussman
twitter: @sussout

Don’t have lots of extra dough to woo that special someone with spectacular wine this Valentine’s? We’ve got tips on wines that will win him or her over and cost less than $25. So go celebrate all the silly sweetness in style!

WHITE

2008 Hop Kiln, “Thousand Flowers,” California (pictured)
Of course your lover deserves a thousand flowers! This trio of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Gewurztraminer with a pretty bouquet of orange blossoms is crisp, flirty and quaffable. You brought flowers, so you’re in.

2007 William Hill Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California
Winemaker Ralf Holdenried’s Chardonnay will make her swoon with its big juicy honeysuckle and peach fruit, creamy malolactic character and engaging mouth-feel. For a romantic outing, make an appointment to visit the tasting room perched atop a hill off the Silverado trail with stunning views of the treetops and mountains.

2007 Eberle “Mill Road Vineyard” Viognier, Paso Robles, California
Heidi Klum s-e-x-y and fragrant, with lush body and a kiss of spice. Think honeysuckle, apricot and candied ginger. Surprisingly, this lusty white hovers right at the $20 mark. Seize the moment.

2007 Chateau Graves de Liron, Bordeaux
White Bordeaux is a classy wine for the money. This graceful wine sports lip-smacking acidity and fruity melon-like fleshiness. Great with succulent seafood—and less than $10, sweetheart.

RED

2007 Vignerons de Caractere Vin De Pays de Vaucluse
This French Grenache-Syrah blend has earthy soulfulness. Flavors of blackberries and bright cherries, rose petals, and nuances of black pepper, licorice and lavender will warm things up right away. Grab the bottle with the sweet label displaying a tiny white dove holding a heart in its mouth, all for under $7! Take it on a romantic picnic.

2007 Murphy Goode Liar’s Dice Zinfandel, California
Oh how Zin tempts us to sin. Alexander Valley grapes display rich blackberry jam and black cherry flavors and the Dry Creek grapes contribute black raspberry and currant flavors. Passionately sweet and juicy with a shot of pepper, it will steal her heart.

2007 Brazin (B) Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California
Looking for an intense experience? Here’s a Zin sourced from vines that range from 35 to 80 years. Prepare for a deep, inky color, bold aromas of plum and chocolate, plus palate purring vanilla mocha notes. Then there’s that long, lingering finish, and a price tag around $17. It fires on all cylinders kind of like Johnny Depp. (They were also selected as “wine to watch for” from ZAP’s grand tasting).

2006 Field Stone Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California
He will adore you for bringing a robust Cabernet to go with grilled steaks for dinner. Here’s a sultry one with a nose of caramel, cream and chocolate-covered cherries and flavors of black cherry, cocoa and casis. Yes love, it’s under $25.

2008 Nova Wines “Norma Jeane” Merlot, California
Marilyn Monroe takes center stage on these various labels like the one with the starlet donned in cowboy gear. More fun than complex, this fruity Merlot is youthfully exuberant. Ride ‘em cowgirl!

2006 Cupcake Vineyards Merlot, Central Coast California
She has a die-hard sweet tooth so bring on the trendy cupcake. This easy-to-find, affordable wine has dark berry fruit, a touch of vanilla, and velvety texture, plus a fanciful label that will make your funny little Valentine smile.

Dow’s NV Port, Six Grapes Reserve
Classic reserve port will pair right up with your Valentine’s chocolates. Expect thick and grapey with black cherry, raisin, spice and mocha with a sweet finish. Perfect to sip in front of a roaring fireplace.

PINK

NV 2007 Francis Coppola Sofia Rose, Napa Valley, California
You won’t be able to keep your eyes off the feminine shape of this bottle and its gorgeous coral-hued contents. The romantic label even pulls you in. In the glass, it’s all fresh strawberries, rose petals, juicy cherry, raspberry and citrus zest. Think seaside café along the French Riviera.

2008 McDowell Grenache Rose, Mendocino, California
Bursting with red berry fruit and black pepper, this dry potent pink will put the blush in her cheeks. Perfect for white wine drinkers who “don’t drink red” and red wine drinkers who “don’t drink white.”

True Prosecco Pink Couvee Rose, Italy
Here’s a delicate pale pink and lightly sweet prosecco of Valdobbiadene for a Valentine’s tete-a-tete. Distinctively bright with stone fruit and red currant flavors, sip as an aperitif or enjoy with a lavish fish and shellfish dinner. Be true.