Cherry aromas and flavors commingle with earth and toast. Delicate dried herb accents carry through to the finish, which blooms light vanilla at the very end. Deceptively smooth overall, but dusty tannins provide a firm structure. —K.F.
— K.F.
(2/1/2003)
This is a clean, lightweight wine with gripping yet silky tannins. The nose of hickory smoke is wrapped in loam, which repeats on the palate with smoky cherry and fresh green herbs. On the finish, the semisweet herbal quality is a treat.
— K.F.
(7/1/2003)
Heavily oaked, with aromas of popcorn and sawdust. The palate is a touch resiny, but underneath the oak veneer you’ll find some ripe apple flavors. The creamy, long finish leaves a somewhat thick and bulky impression, but there’s enough vital acidity to save it.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
Some say that wine is a cure-all; that saying rings true here, because this offering tastes like Cab Franc supplemented by a dose of herb-tinged medicine. Red berry, green tobacco and dusty tannins manage to peek through, but not as much as I’d like.
— D.T.
(7/1/2002)
Dark gold in color and on the path toward retirement. There’s a strong funk to the nose, one of corn and wood. The palate is thick and oaky, with flavors of vanilla and baked apples. On the finish you get toffee and more vanilla. Despite its age and viscosity, decent acidity keeps it drinkable.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
The nose is flat and not very expressive. The flavors are of sweet fruit, but beyond that they are hard to describe. A midland wine with a simple, clean finish and a bit of a waxy mouthfeel.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
This wine from Francisco Gillmore is earthy and full of tomato and leather aromas. The palate is also a bit like tomato and herbs. The finish is tangy, courtesy of healthy acids, while the finish is tannic and a touch hot.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)