USA, American Wine
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2019 St Francis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma
Regular price £36.40 Save £-36.40ABOUT THE WINE
Established in 1971 by Joe Founder, St. Francis has reflected the finest mountain and valley vineyards in and around Sonoma County for over 50 years.
Today, the vineyards of St. Francis are farmed per Certified Sustainable standards. Their estate vineyards present a stunning diversity as they are scattered around Sonoma Valley and the famous Russian River Valley, each with diverse compositions of limestone, loam, clay and black & red volcanic soils. They also buy fruit from some of the oldest vineyards in the region, farming beautifully gnarly old vine Zinfandel, by nurturing their long-standing relationships for decades.
TASTING NOTES
The fruit was sourced from estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley and from various top-quality vineyards in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. An expressively quintessential example of California Cabernet Sauvignon, the dark fruit characteristics of chocolate-laden cassis, blackberry, bramble and dark plums lead to liquorice, sage and subtle green pepper savouriness, together with the spice and the toast of the oak leading to a smooth and warm finish. Aged in 20% new oak barrels for 18 months.
FOOD PAIRING
Beef Wellington or Rack of Lamb with rosemary roasted potatoes
FRIARWOOD SAYS
St. Francis’ gorgeous mission-style estate and Tasting Room building is in the heart of the valley surrounded by estate-owned vineyards. Their bell tower, pictured on their labels houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.
2017 St Francis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Alexander Valley
Regular price £63.90 Save £-63.90ABOUT THE WINE
Established in 1971 by Joe Founder, St. Francis has reflected the finest mountain and valley vineyards in and around Sonoma County for over 50 years.
Today, the vineyards of St. Francis are farmed per Certified Sustainable standards. Their estate vineyards present a stunning diversity as they are scattered around Sonoma Valley and the famous Russian River Valley, each with diverse compositions of limestone, loam, clay and black & red volcanic soils. They also buy fruit from some of the oldest vineyards in the region, farming beautifully gnarly old vine Zinfandel, by nurturing their long-standing relationships for decades.
TASTING NOTES
The fruit for the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comes from high-altitude, west facing slops of the Mayacamas Range, well-above the fog line, where not only the sunlight is stronger, but wind and cold temperatures also batter the wines. These conditions create, smaller, thick-skinned and hence intensely flavoured berries. The wine is all about pure and extracted fruit and intense aromatics and their marriage with the new oak. Notes of cassis, black plum, blueberry, eucalyptus, dried prunes, cigar box, black pepper, liquorice and cloves, and dark cocoa. The decadence of the wine strokes the palate with a smooth, full mouthfeel leading to an everlasting finish. Aged in 75% new oak barrels for 20 months.
FOOD PAIRING
Beef Bourguignon, Florentine Steak and Angus Beef Burgers with red onion relish.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
St. Francis’ gorgeous mission-style estate and Tasting Room building is in the heart of the valley surrounded by estate-owned vineyards. Their bell tower, pictured on their labels houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.
2016 Sequoia Grove, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Regular price £94.00 Save £-94.00ABOUT THE WINE
Sequoia Grove is located in the gem of the famed Napa Valley, in what’s known as the Rutherford Bench. The Bench is a very unique geological formation, as it is consisted of a special composition of soils and rocks, and is considered one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. With a mix of alluvial loams, limestone, chalk and red & black volcanic soils, it’s at the prime area for producing wine. As the legendary Napa pioneer André Tchelistcheff quoted, “it takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” Founded in 1979, the estate is one of Napa’s cult estates for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES
A real terroir wine of Napa Valley, despite not being shy at all with its incredible opulence. Concentrated notes of blackcurrants, strawberry jam, black mulberries, blackberries and blueberries, with a spicy, fresh eucalyptus edge. The intensity of the tannins are married to the velvety, chocolatey texture of the wine. It gets more delectable with the cocoa, tobacco and clove notes coming from the premium French barriques which were used. 14% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot help support the structure and complexity of the wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Southern barbecued ribs, lamb shank casserole with baked beans and chili con carne.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The estate barn is blessed to be surrounded by some of the last remaining groves of huge, majestic sequoia trees. It is also known to house Napa’s first underground cellar.
2014 Sequoia Grove, Cambium
Regular price £149.00 Save £-149.00ABOUT THE WINE
Sequoia Grove is located in the gem of the famed Napa Valley, in what’s known as the Rutherford Bench. The Bench is a very unique geological formation, as it is consisted of a special composition of soils and rocks, and is considered one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. With a mix of alluvial loams, limestone, chalk and red & black volcanic soils, it’s at the prime area for producing wine. As the legendary Napa pioneer André Tchelistcheff quoted, “it takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” Founded in 1979, the estate is one of Napa’s cult estates for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES
The most important wine of Sequoia Grove, the Bordeaux blend consists of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Syrah. It is blessed with profoundly intense notes of chocolate-coated cassis, blackberry, dark plum and dark cherry followed by clove, cinnamon, cigar box and black pepper and leather. The decadent finish lingers on with notes of cedar, truffle and dark chocolate. Aged 18 months in barrel, 2 years in bottle, 65% New French oak, and it was bottled in May 2016.
The 2014 Cambium has just started entering its optimum drinking window, so a bottle to enjoy now or until 2035.
FOOD PAIRING
One to pair with truffle-oil drizzled dry-aged Wagyu beef steaks and rich stews with red wine and hard, mature cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The estate barn is blessed to be surrounded by some of the last remaining groves of huge, majestic sequoia trees. It is also known to house Napa’s first underground cellar.
2012 Opus One, Opus One
Regular price £538.50 Save £-538.50A joint venture between the Robert Mondavi company (the family are no longer involved) and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild, based in the Oakville appellation within Napa Valley. One of the finest wines in California, and revered throughout the world. Initially a selection of the finest lots from the Mondavi Winery, since 1991 certain vineyard parcels came to be associated with Opus One, most notably the To-Kalon vineyard, which since 2005 has provided the core of the wine.
TASTING NOTES
Blackberry, rose petals and mocha aromas, with earth, cassis and leather providing nuance. Supremely silky on the palate, with rounded tannin and a bright mineral character; violet and lavender, a hint of mint and plenty of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruit. Supple and lingering, with truffle and charcoal on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Best enjoyed with substantial, yet subtle, foods which will allow the wine to shine - a fine steak with delicate seasoning, perhaps.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The 2012 is considered one of their greatest vintages; just entering its drinking window, this wine will continue to improve until 2030.
2002 Dominus Estate
Regular price £445.50 Save £-445.50ABOUT THE WINE
In 1982 Christian Moueix, owner of Chateau Petrus, having fallen in love with Napa Valley during his studies in the 1960s, discovered the legendary Napanook Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench. In 1995 he purchased a section of the vineyard, and created Dominus Estate, with a mission to produce an iconic Napa Valley wine. The vineyard contains vines over 100 years old, and has contributed to some of the finest and most long-lasting wines Napa Valley has ever produced. The Estate Red is aged in oak barrels, of which 1/3 are new, for 15 months, a serious rival to Opus One...
TASTING NOTES
Poised and vibrant; not the classic Napa Valley blockbuster, yet by no means without weight and power, the structure of the wine has allowed it to age spectacularly, resulting in a seamless integration of tannin, oak and acidity. Kirsch and blackcurrant intermingles with dried tobacco, damp earth, cocoa and cedar; the finish is silken and multi-layered, as the complexity of the palate carries through. Will happily age for another 15 years, but we recommend succumbing to the temptation.
FOOD PAIRING
Beef, preferably steak, or tenderloin; the meat needs to have sufficient structure to match to the wine.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Decanting several hours in advance is recommended for this extremely distinctive Napa Valley wine.