Mt. Brave, Cabernet Franc, Mt. Veeder

Deep, dark mountain fruit with graphite, and a hint of cedar on the nose. Bright yet restrained across the palate, I’ll let this sit in the glass for 45 minutes to gauge whether to decant most or all of the bottle to go with dinner later this evening. 3 hrs after opening, the last 2 decanted, this is beginning to come into its own. Showing more of its mountain heritage than its varietal characteristics, the nose remains restrained with lavender, …

2016 vintage

Tasted blind, beautiful dark cherry, blueberry, great mouthfeel, long finish, just really nice

2016 vintage

Really enjoyed my last bottle of this, but not as stellar as a year ago. Right out of the bottle the nose was largely muted. After a 3 hr decant we're catching ripe blackberry on the palate though there's still plenty of room for this to open further. None of the green oddities one often sees in a CF are present.

2016 vintage

Couldn't imagine this drinking any better. Popped and poured after about an hour. Served with smoked pork chops and spiced roasted carrots. 2015 CA killing it right now.

2015 vintage

30 minutes after pulling the cork, there's dark, muted fruit on the nose accompanied by Asian spices. Although still a bit dry and tannic on the palate, it's reasonably well-balanced, indicating the longevity that remains for this vintage. There's a tinge of tartness, but I've got to imagine this is in its peak window. Unfortunately my last bottle of this vintage, this is solid all-around with nothing off-kilter. Great reminder of the potential with my other bottles of this, and …

2015 vintage

Good wine, but definitely on the decline. Drink up.

2013 vintage

Decanted half the bottle on a cold, Monday night in Dallas, reserving the balance for another day. But based on initial tastes I may yet plow through the whole thing. 30 minutes and the dark, heady nose shows creosote, leather and faint fruit but is otherwise restrained. Could this be a rhone? Fruit is tough to discern but definitely exists behind cigar on a nicely balanced palate. That's truly unique for a CF. Develops more character at the 90 min …

2016 vintage

Pnp'd and given about 1 hour of air.....immediately a beautiful floral Franc nose is evident. 30 minutes in and good, rich dark red fruit emerges from the glass. Perfectly matched acidity brings the fruit to life and leads to a mouthwatering ending. This bottle again drinks above its weight class and price point, all things considered. This is integrating very well and certainly has a number of good years left in it. Just a touch of tannic astringency remains on …

2015 vintage

Inspired to try this as I consider possible substitutions for my upcoming Spire order. After 75 mins opening in the glass there’s a dark muted nose of blackberry and pine needles. Tannins have softened vs initial pop and pour taste, but still have a quick if soft bite before giving way to ripe fruit. Not finding the bell pepper common to the varietal and pleased as its not our favorite characteristic. Give this wine 1.5 to 2 hrs to open …

2016 vintage

91 bordering on 92 early on. Triple splash decanted as a final bottle at the end of the night extra bottle and mainly because we had no franc all weekend. Decent floral/fruited nose and ok franc fruit on the palate of rounded red cherry but the wine lags a bit over the next few hours and some tart character evolves from the fruit. Tannins still a bit grippy but that was expected. Probably improves a few points with more bottle …

2015 vintage

One hour decant. Deep dark magenta color. Sunflower seed, black cherry, wildflowers, blackberry, prune, anise, and milk chocolate on the nose. Smooth, tongue drying palate. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. This started strong, but peaked after an hour of drinking. It became a little acrid and deflated after that.

2015 vintage

This was solid if dry right out of the bottle. A bit of air opened this up, and after an hour decant this is really singing. Syrupy grip on the stems. Tobacco, vanilla and clove on the nose with well-balanced, black fruit on the dry (now well-integrated) palate. While I REALLY enjoy this, I’d never take this for a CF; would assume it to be a Cab or Cab/Merlot blend. While missing characteristics associated w the varietal, it’s a great …

2015 vintage

The suave and elegant tendencies shine, with a full body and starchy tannin - along with some grip. Broiled red pepper, blackberry, tar, freesia and red licorice, with some earth. The finish echoes on with focus and momentum, and the middle palate is quite attractive. We need more Napa Cabernet Franc of this ilk. Drink now - 2036.

2016 vintage

From La Jota. Before reading the bottle/ Cellar Tracker info, I thought I was drinking a Cab, upon opening the bottle. Beautiful, full body, wonderful velvet mouth feel. After decanting, opened up nicely.

2015 vintage

Drank half the bottle yesterday via Coravan; the balance of the bottle was a pop and pour, followed over 2+ hours. Nose is tight even two hours after uncorking (not decanted) though there’s a faint musk and oak aroma. Nice mouth feel that’s well-balanced; dry mid-to front-palate with black and blueberry flavors. Finish lasts a good 20+ seconds. There’s no rush on this, and I can easily see this becoming one of my favorite cab francs. Two remaining, will buy …

2015 vintage

I believe this is a Chris Carpenter wine? Would love to drink this alongside La Jota's Howell Mountain Cab Franc (same winemaker). However, I have a feeling this would outlive the Howell. Incredibly tannic. Black and red in the glass. Blackberries, tar, charcoal and sweet nutmeg on the nose. Powerful texture. Lingering finish. Needed day 2 and even in to day 3 to reveal more plums, violet and spice.

2013 vintage

Not ready to go yet. This one was open for 2 hours and it was really interesting how it was JUST coming into its element when it had to be recorked. Definitely a "riper" Cab Franc. Lots of chocolate and cocoa notes here. Floral present as well, but this one seemed to emphasize more of the fruit profile of Cab Franc than the floral profile of Franc. Perhaps the Howell Mtn offering is a slightly different style? Anyway, this wine …

2013 vintage

Are you sure?

Mt. Brave, Cabernet Franc, Mt. Veeder

Vintages

No vintages

Community Reviews