2010 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon

4g

Freemark Abbey is another old winery in Napa Valley.  It begin in 1886, when Josephine Tychson established the original winery along Route 29 in St. Helena where Freemark Abbey still stands. She kicked off a history of innovation, becoming one of the first woman winegrowers on record.  The current name of the winery was created in 1939, when the three owners – Charles Freeman, Markquand Foster and Abbey Ahern – combined their names to form the moniker “Freemark Abbey.”

In 1976, wine expert Steven Spurrier conducted a legendary blind tasting in Paris – pitting the upstart wines of California against the establishment of France. Of the 12 American wineries chosen to compete, only Freemark Abbey had two wines represented – a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. In an upset that shocked the wine world, California wines won every category of the tasting, putting Napa Valley firmly on the world stage.

Even today I think California wines still top the French wine making regions!

IMG_2109

Sight
Deep color depth with a purple hue.

(Sorry, I somehow missed taking a picture or deleted it.)

Smell
Moderate young-fruity with aromas of sweet dark fruit (blueberry), cocoa, dark chocolate.

Taste
Dry, full-bodied, balanced acidity.  Medium soft tannins.  Rich mid-palate flavors with a long cocoa finish.

abv: 14.5%

How much:  It was a gift.  On-line it retails from $32.00 to $37.00 per bottle.

Region/appellation: Napa Valley

Blend: 82.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.0% Merlot, 3.4% Petit Verdot, 1.1% Malbec, 0.2% Cabernet Franc

I have not visited Freemark Abbey.  I need to add this winery to my bucket list.  I rated the 2010 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon four glasses.

Life is too short to drink crappy wine.  Expand your palate and keep trying.

facebook button Facebook.com/BillsWineWandering

twitter @BillsWineWander

Related