Winery
of the Week: Freemark Abbey - Rutherford
Freemark
Abbey has a history in the Napa Valley, and
Rutherford in particular, dating back to 1899. Over the years,
the winery certainly played a part in developing the area's
world wide reputation. Today, all that time and experience is
behind every bottle, so it is no surprise when you taste the
quality in every sip.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Freemark
Abbey 2010 Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Freemark Abbey
Grape(s): 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7
% Merlot, 6 % Cabernet Franc, & 2% Petit Verdot
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 95-100
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, cherries, and cassis mingle with
notes of sweet spice and cedar on the nose. Flavors of
bramble fruit, black cherry, and currant interweave with
elements of all-spice, earth, and oak on the palate. Elegant
and complex, there's a lot to love about this wine. 1,500
cases produced.
Rating: 93 |
 |
Freemark
Abbey 2010 Cabernet Bosche
Winery:
Freemark Abbey
Grape(s): 98% Merlot & 2 % Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
A bouquet of black cherry, boysenberry, sweet spice, and
toasty oak greets the senses. The palate offers flavors
of black plums, sweet cherries, and ripe blackberries,
alongside nuances of dark chocolate, clove, and smoky
oak. With balanced tannins and opulent fruit, fans of
Merlot should not pass this bottle up. 379 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Freemark
Abbey 2012 Merlot Bosche
Winery:
Freemark Abbey
Grape(s): 98% Merlot & 2 % Cabernet
Sauvignon
Region: Rutherford Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
A bouquet of black cherry, boysenberry, sweet spice, and
toasty oak greets the senses. The palate offers flavors
of black plums, sweet cherries, and ripe blackberries,
alongside nuances of dark chocolate, clove, and smoky
oak. With balanced tannins and opulent fruit, fans of
Merlot should not pass this bottle up. 379 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Freemark
Abbey 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Freemark Abbey
Grape(s): 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19%
Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, & 1%
Malbec
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cassis, and cherries meld with
hints of white pepper, cocoa, and Italian herbs on the
nose. With a sip, flavors of bramble fruit, cherry, and
currant emerge, accented by whispers of clove, pepper,
and herbs. Welcoming tannins and lively flavors make this
wine an ideal match for a juicy rib-eye. 37, 396 cases
were made.
Rating: 91 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|
