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Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
93 Points - great buy A classic Napa Cabernet from Freemark Abbey. 95 Points Decanter: "The estate known today as Freemark Abbey was established in 1886 by one of the first female wine-growers in Napa. Today Ted Edwards is head winemaker, working for the past three decades to develop relationships with growers, allowing exclusive sourcing rights to specific plots, which is crucial to the winery’s success. This wine has been aged for 28 months in a mixture of French and American oak. Powerful blackcurrant nose, with slightly charred oak. Very rich without being jammy, it packs a punch. An assertive and very youthful style, but good acidity and tannins mean this should go the distance. This is softly structured but with a good level of tannins. Violets and rose petals lead up to a lengthy finish. Great purity and clarity here." 93 Points James Suckling: "This shows hot stones, ash, undertones of citrus, slate and oyster shell. Lots of blue fruit on the palate with licorice character to define the full body, tight yet grippy tannins and fruity yet minerally finish. Drink in 2019." Robert Parker: "...Freemark Abbey remains one of the legendary Napa Valley wineries. In spite of what many feared when it was acquired by the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson, things have only gotten stronger and more consistent under their leadership, with the continuation of chief winemaker Ted Edwards. Since I have been tasting these wines over the last few years, this has been a consistent producer of high quality wines in both red and white. They have added a couple of new cuvées to the portfolio, but are still well-known for their non-malolactic style of Chardonnay."
Ratings on Delectable
Severn Goodwin 
Nose has ripe blackberry, medium roast coffee grounds, tannic black cherry, crushed milk chocolate, sliced red pepper, tanned black leather and ripe plum skin. Palate has ripe blackberry, plum, milk chocolate chips, mild new oak, black currant and red clay pottery. Mild tannins are becoming integrated. Decanted 6H. We enjoyed this bottle with mesquite smoked chuck steaks from a local farmer (Kinderhook Farm; Valatie, NY), cooked slow and low. Manage your temperature and you'll never be disappointed, on the grill for almost 25+minutes, but beautifully medium-rare. FAW is a staple producer in our cellar, but generally I do not touch anything until at least a 10-12Y birthday. A one off bottle purchase from Costco ($40) so that I can check in on bottles we're waiting on. 75.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16.2% Merlot, 4.0% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Sourced from Bosché Vineyard, Keyes Vineyard, Oakville Vineyard, Stagecoach Vineyard & Sycamore Vineyard. ++++++ FYI, new-ish trending algorithm on Delectable only pushes wines to the feed which can be purchased through Delectable/Banquet. Kind of a 'fake news' feed of the actual popularity on wines in the platform, but what do I know?! I figured since this bottle 'trended' with no likes as of this commentary, I'd let everyone know. I generally don't drink wines that are available via Banquet registered purveyors, since most of our wines are unique or older. Same with 'Tasting Notes: Weeky Roundup' so be aware. Enjoy this tidbit of knowledge, community.
Nose has ripe blackberry, medium roast coffee grounds, tannic black cherry, crushed milk chocolate, sliced red pepper, tanned black leather and ripe plum skin. Palate has ripe blackberry, plum, milk chocolate chips, mild new oak, black currant and red clay pottery. Mild tannins are becoming integrated. Decanted 6H. We enjoyed this bottle with mesquite smoked chuck steaks from a local farmer (Kinderhook Farm; Valatie, NY), cooked slow and low. Manage your temperature and you'll never be disappointed, on the grill for almost 25+minutes, but beautifully medium-rare. FAW is a staple producer in our cellar, but generally I do not touch anything until at least a 10-12Y birthday. A one off bottle purchase from Costco ($40) so that I can check in on bottles we're waiting on. 75.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16.2% Merlot, 4.0% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Sourced from Bosché Vineyard, Keyes Vineyard, Oakville Vineyard, Stagecoach Vineyard & Sycamore Vineyard. ++++++ FYI, new-ish trending algorithm on Delectable only pushes wines to the feed which can be purchased through Delectable/Banquet. Kind of a 'fake news' feed of the actual popularity on wines in the platform, but what do I know?! I figured since this bottle 'trended' with no likes as of this commentary, I'd let everyone know. I generally don't drink wines that are available via Banquet registered purveyors, since most of our wines are unique or older. Same with 'Tasting Notes: Weeky Roundup' so be aware. Enjoy this tidbit of knowledge, community.
9.2
Delectable Wine
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The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and forward - all characteristics that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Sweet black cherry, plum, new oak, spice, new leather and coffee notes are all pushed forward in this mid-weight, succulent and highly appealing Cabernet. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and forward - all characteristics that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Sweet black cherry, plum, new oak, spice, new leather and coffee notes are all pushed forward in this mid-weight, succulent and highly appealing Cabernet. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
9.0
Paul K
92-93 2016 style - plush and approachable but not simple. Cherry and tobacco. Has great tannins that should help the other bottles age beautifully. Excited for the future of these! @James K i might be hurting on our ride tomorrow! 70 miles in last two days and this is too good to keep for later!
92-93 2016 style - plush and approachable but not simple. Cherry and tobacco. Has great tannins that should help the other bottles age beautifully. Excited for the future of these! @James K i might be hurting on our ride tomorrow! 70 miles in last two days and this is too good to keep for later!
9.3
Iwan
Nice Napa Cab. Not an overpowering fruit bomb, but a little more restraint. Some green notes - almost as there’s some cab franc in the blend.
Nice Napa Cab. Not an overpowering fruit bomb, but a little more restraint. Some green notes - almost as there’s some cab franc in the blend.
9.0Mike Leapley Jr.
Favorite of all time
Favorite of all time
9.5
KD
Deep purple with good intense notes of black cherries, blackcurrant, cedar and spice on the nose. Full body and beautifully structured with high acidity balancing the big wrapping tannins that become softer mid-palate. In the mouth, ripe black cherries, blackcurrant with earthy, chalky notes with some cedar and a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate in the very long hot, luscious finish. Beautiful wine!
Deep purple with good intense notes of black cherries, blackcurrant, cedar and spice on the nose. Full body and beautifully structured with high acidity balancing the big wrapping tannins that become softer mid-palate. In the mouth, ripe black cherries, blackcurrant with earthy, chalky notes with some cedar and a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate in the very long hot, luscious finish. Beautiful wine!
9.3
Dawn E.
Short decant on this...super yummy! Presents with plum, dark fruit and cherry, espresso, pencil lead, wet soil and mild vanilla! Great balance, a really solid Bordeaux style blend from Napa..even young! Definitely need more!
Short decant on this...super yummy! Presents with plum, dark fruit and cherry, espresso, pencil lead, wet soil and mild vanilla! Great balance, a really solid Bordeaux style blend from Napa..even young! Definitely need more!
9.2Sam Maniar
Pretty fantastic. Bordeaux-style blend. Paid $43.99
Pretty fantastic. Bordeaux-style blend. Paid $43.99
9.3
Tom Kohli
Nice aroma, smooth but lacking taste - nothing special.
Nice aroma, smooth but lacking taste - nothing special.
8.7
michael robers
Plum nose full bodied smooth dark fruit and earth flavor moderate tannin.
Plum nose full bodied smooth dark fruit and earth flavor moderate tannin.
9.2
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