Freemark Abbey

On a lark, we decided to jump off the beaten path of the Wine Road and take advantage of the fact that we're here on a weekday (Friday) and can stop at a couple of places in Napa County. So, down CA-128 we went... Freemark Abbey, here we come!

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard $75/$60/$50
80% cab; 7% cab franc; 7% merlot
Vanilla and white pepper on the nose, with a layer of dried herbs. Strong acidity, with spices, plum, and a hint of black currant. As cabs go, this is nice, but would benefit from some time in the cellar.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche $75/$60/$70
87.5% cab; 12.5% merlot
The nose was muted for me, compared to the 07 Sycamore, but the palate was “Mmmmm”. The tannins are much better balanced with black currant, plum, pepper, and chocolate truffle. This is a great wine to drink for the money and I'm sure I have a few in my cellar.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard $170/$120/$8576% cab; 14% merlot; 10% cab franc
This is a seriously mature wine! The nose is big with a smokiness and toast, but the black currant peeks through, as well. The tannins are long since gone, but the magic of the flavors left behind are delicious! Black cherry, cassis, plum and a mild hint of chocolate leave you with a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche $150/$120/$8587% cab; 13% merlot
The nose is quiet and subtle like a shy darling at the corner of the dance floor. The black cherry and blackberry are blanketed by an extremely subtle but heavy, warm blanket of tobacco. The cedar on the palate is deeply entwined with the black currant, cherry, and blackberry. This is another wine you can pull out to impress your guests, but for the value, stock up on the 2007 vintage.

2008 Petite Sirah $32/$25.6/$35Fruit from Rutherford, a cooler climate from most Petite Sirahs in California, which translates into lower alcohol content. Mild cinnamon on the nose, with some black pepper. The cinnamon comes through, integrated with a base of red currant (perhaps it’s cherry & black currant).

For what it's worth, for larger parties (4 or more) the winery breaks out some of their library wines in an event called "Decades Tasting". $50/person ($40 for club members) This would be quite a treat for the consummate connoisseur.