Cab Franc, Especially Rougeard

We got together to buy a few bottles of Rougeard off the list where markups had become reasonable due to rising secondary market prices and to open a few aged New World examples of Cab Franc. I was worried about distracting levels of Brett in the wines and luckily, while prevalent in both New and Old World, it wasn't so dominant you couldn't smell the wines.

• 2008 A. Margaine Champagne Blanc de Blancs Special Club

  France, Champagne

  Big expressive nose, it's young but open for business, lots of juicy sweet meyer lemon then the acid takes over. This is a giant wine but given the long, linear acid should age well for decades. suprisingly well integrated and nice with pork belly and fries.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  Cherry Jolly Rancher on the nose with some sweet tarragon and ripe green pepper peeking out. on the palate, lead. very short finish. True to the hot vintage, drink up.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Wolf Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Initially reticent but then opening up to dark blackberry and slate. some olives but then the finish dominated by oak.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1996 Havens Wine Cellars Bourriquot

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Brett on the nose, then red cherries. noticeable alcohol. tasted from bordeaux glasses not my usual pinot glasses which would have made the alcohol even more intense on the nose. With air opening up to wet dirty socks and olives. lingering dried herbs on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1996 Peter Michael Les Pavots

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Sweet cherries on the nose, maraschino evolving into Pillsbury chocolate cupcake icing. oaky finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1995 Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrières

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil

  Sawdust and mint on the nose, then mediterranean herbs and spcies. Tart, bretty finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Consistent with my previous note, dominated by Brett but less so than the previous bottle. Some plum on the palate, then tight and rather shut on the finish. I'd hold (or sell if you're opposed to Brett).

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Showing tertiary notes of leather. Some Brett but less distracting than the 06. #2 pencil shavings (lead and all). Not sure if this was bottle variation but certianly more advanced than any of the rest of the vertical and incosistent with previous tasters.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Ripe, sweet, modern and forward nose, some lead and tobacco lingering. Probably in it's drinking window already.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Red vine licorice but with an interesting spice to the finish. seems a bit disjointed now, I'd hold.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  Pretty black truffles on the nose, then sweet dark mud. Some brett. pine needles. A better wine than the stablemates, imho.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1976 Weingut Andre Ediger Elzhofberg Riesling Beerenauslese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Very dark amber in color, nearly red. Nose nectarines, nectarine skin, rhodedendron blossom, orange bitters, then the age showed with raisin. Interestingly fresh honeysuckle on the palate but lacking acidty like a Scheurebe. Some apple cider and apple skins on the finish.
  
  I brought the wine but tasted it blind for the group. Guesses ranged from 10 year old Tokaji to a non grape based wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

I enjoyed the conversation the most--nice to make some connections for future revisits to SF.