Foxen Cabernet Franc 7200

I bought this bottle nearly 5 years ago when at my very first blind tasting, this beat out a panel full of expensive culty cabs. I now wonder whether my noob palate did the other cabs justice, particularly a Quilceda Creek that despite “not winning” is still fresh in my mind. In any case, this is still great but in a much different way that the other wines we had today… I thought this was going to need a lot …

Red fruit driven, and in its prime. I love quality Napa cabs, but it's become virtually impossible to find better ones than this at this price point.

Even with a 3 hour decant this still seemed heavy handed. Chewy cab, with deep dark fruit. Good, but somewhat disjointed.

Had with a steak dinner. Sweet cherry & plum, with an herbal note on opening. Not much in the way of tannic structure or acids. Was okay with the steak, but later it took on a port-like note. 15% alcohol, but no noticeable heat. It came as part of my wine club shipment a year, or more, ago. Don't think I would seek it out. Will have to see what the other vintages are like.

Lots of potential but way too young. Didn't decant however.

Compared the 2002 against the 2009 with a group of friends, and the 2002 actually won a split decision, though I ranked the 2009 just slightly ahead. Was very please with how the 2002 has held up and had a lot of flavors evolving, though more subtle than the 2009 which was certainly more brash and had the bigger finish in my opinion. Well integrated tannins on both, which was a bit of a pleasant surprise on the 2009.

I almost don't want to continue my high ratings of Foxen red wines for fear I won't get my full allocation. The perfection of balance, high extraction & just amazing cabernet flavor is intoxicating. Don't forget the Vogelsong Vineyard Merlot also produced by Foxen. I would put this wine against anything selling for multiples of prices higher & this wine will win. Exceptional as are every Foxen red wine I've tasted to date.

- Brick color - Lovely ripe red fruit nose, fruit up front on palette, smooth, well balanced, soft acidity. Long finish. Wow! Absolutely superb to my taste. Loved it.

Tasted blind with 17 other Cabs from all over the world. This dominated the tasting, even against a 99pt $300 cult Cab. Port-like nose. Deep plum character. Dark cherries and spice. Big tannins. Dense, almost chewy mouthfeel. This will live for years and years.

N: Dark raspberry, sweet, with maraschino cherries. P: Sweet, with Spices, Cherries, Raspberry. Great Acidity. Medium Bodied, with Big tannins. Slight Tinge of twizzlers & licorice. F: Mouthwatering.

Enjoyed at Ruth's Chris Foxen wine dinner. Full-bodied with well integrated tannins.

Jersey Girls Road Trip - A Story by the Chauffeur; 4/27/2012-5/2/2012 (Solvang, CA) : Best wine of the flight, and the most expensive at $50/bottle. Color is really dark, like a black olive. Significant amount of structure, rough tannins, hiding the dark cassis fruit at this point in time. Finish is very long. Put this in the cellar and wait, a very special wine should emerge.