Peter Franus

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Peter Franus 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Carneros)

Editors' Choice

Price $22

There aren’t too many Sauvignon Blancs from Carneros, but judging from this beauty, the grape thrives there. In the right hands, of course. This one’s from great vineyards, including Truchard’s. It’s a magnificent wine in the white Bordeaux style, rich and lush in mineral-laden gooseberry, honeysuckle, white peach, Asian pear and lemongrass flavors, with a vibrant… — S.H. (12/15/2008)

points

Peter Franus 2005 Red (Napa Valley)

Price $60

Delicious and complex. Shows a superb tannic structure, soft and complicated and refined, housing dry but rich flavors of black currants, cherries, chocolate, anise, cedar and pepper. Elegant and distinguished, and should develop through 2011, at least. — S.H. (6/1/2009)

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Peter Franus 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Price $22

A brilliant Sauvignon Blanc, with racy acidity and a rich, creamy texture. Shows lemongrass, peach, melon and exotic tropical fruit flavors, and really gets those tastebuds whistling. Shows a complexity rare in this variety. — S.H. (11/1/2010)

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Peter Franus 2009 Chardonnay (Carneros)

Online Exclusive

Price $32

A very rich Chard made in the modern California style of exceptional ripeness and lots of toasty oak. Tastes full-bodied, almost sweet in pineapple, orange, buttered toast and crême brulée flavors, fortunately balanced with crisp acidity. Drink now. — S.H. (2/1/2011)

points

Peter Franus 2007 Red Wine G-S-M (Red Hills Lake County)

Online Exclusive

Price $28

With delicious texture and concentration, this Lake County blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from the 3,000-foot-high Fore Family Vineyard is intensely good, a deep reddish-purple blueberry-tinged infusion of earth and clove spice with dry, tight tannins and even a little lavender that’ll linger. This one’ll age, but is so convincingly reminiscent of the… — V.B. (3/1/2011)

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Peter Franus 2005 Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley)

Price $40

Good for the winery for producing a Cab Franc that’s truly distinct and interesting. It doesn’t have a vineyard designation, but it’s from the highly regarded Truchard vineyard. With a firm core of dusty tannins and a heart of blackberries, black cherries, currants and black pepper, it’s elegant, complex and ageworthy. — S.H. (12/15/2008)

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Peter Franus 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $50

The winery’s ’05 Cab is tannic and dry and elegant. It tastes like a young Bordeaux, a wine that needs time in the cellar to come around. The flavors are classic Napa Cab, all black currants, black cherries and oak. Just beautiful. Best after 2009, but good now with decanting and a big, important steak. — S.H. (12/15/2008)

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Peter Franus 2006 Merlot (Napa Valley)

Price $32

Near perfect aromatics on this soft, lush Merlot. The aromas suggest black cherry pie filling, mocha, violets, bacon and cedar. In the mouth, it’s super-rich in berries, currants and spices, with softly refined tannins. Best now. — S.H. (6/1/2009)

Most Reviewed Designations

Brandlin Vineyard Red Wine

Most Reviewed Varietals

Albariño Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay G-S-M Merlot Mourvèdre Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Zinfandel

2008 PerryMoore Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

This is a lush, heady wine that’s full bodied and dry, with massive…

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