The 2013 Del Dotto Cabernet Franc is near the end of its tasting window...or so they say. I reviewed its appearance in the glass as I waited for it to come up to a pleasant drinking temperature from storage temp of 55.
It poured a beautiful, deep purple color with little to no indication by color of its 10+ years in the bottle. I've red that the color can intensify with age which I think is the case here. When younger, I think it looked a bit lighter. After a swirl, the legs aren't that fast on the glass, so I am expecting a medium alcohol level ...less full bodied than the Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon's that I love.
The nose is light, not getting the floral elements I would expect from Cab Franc. Nothing special, but nice.
Initial taste brings medium-level acidity and medium tannins. I am having trouble identifying distinct elements of taste. yes, red fruit but not very bright. Really tastes like right down the middle, like a wine that doesn't want to make waves. Could be a crowd pleaser as it doesn't venture off too far from expectations of a medium-bodied red wine. I will say the tannins/dryness lingers long after the sip is complete. After multiple tastes, I am getting some herbal tones but not bell pepper as might expect from franc, I want to say mushrooms/earthiness but again not strong. The most distinct characteristic is the lingering dryness for me.
OK, I'm going sub 90 on this...lets say 89. Its a good wine, I would be happy to serve it and drink it. Given its medium-body it would pair well with a lot. I don't think this gets any better with age...so its time to move from coravin to pulling the cork and enjoying this bottle.
Last thought: I purchased this years ago during a barrell tasting at Del Dotto - which is almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon heavy (and great). When you taste the Cab Franc in that context its different, brighter and unique. Its relief from Cab Sav fatigue (is there such a thing?!).
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Decanted for approximately an hour prior to and during the course of dinner. Beautiful hue of deep purple. Low acidity and soft tannins. Very approachable and tasty although not very complex. A well made easy drinker that accompanies Italian fare very well. Drink up.
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We've had prior bottles of this 2013 Cab Franc from Del Dotto, and it continues to improve with age. Would have made for an excellent holiday offering.
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Very nice Cab Franc - we bought these bottles at the winery about four years ago, and they've been sitting quietly since. Figured it was time to open one up for our Easter holiday dinner. The 2022 end-date is significantly off, this one seems like it can easily sit for another 10 years or more, so suggesting 2029.
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A great vintage for Cab Franc typicity in Napa, and a great bottle from rockstar Dave Del Dotto and his team. Shows blue and black fruits with intensity, along with judicious oak and a nice mélange of complex herbs, all structured and balanced with just-right tannins and acidity. One of our favorite Cab Francs.....
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First wine of a 9 bottle flight. Pnp. Very approachable. Bright and lively yet firm and focused. Full bodied with soft tannins. Should continue to improve in 3 to 5 years. Love me some Del Dotto.
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May be the biggest Cab Franc I've ever tasted. Guessed Napa Cab Sauv at a blind tasting because it's just so fruit forward with big sweet tannins. Hopefully it will settle down, lose some of that baby fat, and find a little more balance as everything settles out. Should go up in score with a little age.
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Del Dotto Cave Barrel Tasting with India. Appearance: Dark ruby red. Nose: Flowers, cinnamon, spices, chalk. Palate/Finish: Well structured, balanced, moderate tannins, solid dark cherries and grips the top of the palate.
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3/19/2024 - Roman Empire Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasting Note 7 of #50in2024
The 2013 Del Dotto Cabernet Franc is near the end of its tasting window...or so they say. I reviewed its appearance in the glass as I waited for it to come up to a pleasant drinking temperature from storage temp of 55.
It poured a beautiful, deep purple color with little to no indication by color of its 10+ years in the bottle. I've red that the color can intensify with age which I think is the case here. When younger, I think it looked a bit lighter. After a swirl, the legs aren't that fast on the glass, so I am expecting a medium alcohol level ...less full bodied than the Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon's that I love.
The nose is light, not getting the floral elements I would expect from Cab Franc. Nothing special, but nice.
Initial taste brings medium-level acidity and medium tannins. I am having trouble identifying distinct elements of taste. yes, red fruit but not very bright. Really tastes like right down the middle, like a wine that doesn't want to make waves. Could be a crowd pleaser as it doesn't venture off too far from expectations of a medium-bodied red wine. I will say the tannins/dryness lingers long after the sip is complete. After multiple tastes, I am getting some herbal tones but not bell pepper as might expect from franc, I want to say mushrooms/earthiness but again not strong. The most distinct characteristic is the lingering dryness for me.
OK, I'm going sub 90 on this...lets say 89. Its a good wine, I would be happy to serve it and drink it. Given its medium-body it would pair well with a lot. I don't think this gets any better with age...so its time to move from coravin to pulling the cork and enjoying this bottle.
Last thought: I purchased this years ago during a barrell tasting at Del Dotto - which is almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon heavy (and great). When you taste the Cab Franc in that context its different, brighter and unique. Its relief from Cab Sav fatigue (is there such a thing?!).
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10/10/2021 - Bodyfxr wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for approximately an hour prior to and during the course of dinner. Beautiful hue of deep purple. Low acidity and soft tannins. Very approachable and tasty although not very complex. A well made easy drinker that accompanies Italian fare very well. Drink up.
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11/18/2019 - dsavard Likes this wine: 94 Points
Yum!
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10/21/2019 - Terramare Likes this wine: 94 Points
We've had prior bottles of this 2013 Cab Franc from Del Dotto, and it continues to improve with age. Would have made for an excellent holiday offering.
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4/21/2019 - Terramare Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice Cab Franc - we bought these bottles at the winery about four years ago, and they've been sitting quietly since. Figured it was time to open one up for our Easter holiday dinner. The 2022 end-date is significantly off, this one seems like it can easily sit for another 10 years or more, so suggesting 2029.
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6/9/2018 - Snoman Likes this wine: 94 Points
A great vintage for Cab Franc typicity in Napa, and a great bottle from rockstar Dave Del Dotto and his team. Shows blue and black fruits with intensity, along with judicious oak and a nice mélange of complex herbs, all structured and balanced with just-right tannins and acidity. One of our favorite Cab Francs.....
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2/15/2018 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Fruit forward, easy drinking, crowd pleasing. Not overly complex or interesting, however.
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2/14/2018 - Terramare Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice Cab Franc from Del Dotto; we have two more bottles from this vintage.
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2/10/2018 - Bodyfxr wrote: 92 Points
First wine of a 9 bottle flight. Pnp. Very approachable. Bright and lively yet firm and focused. Full bodied with soft tannins. Should continue to improve in 3 to 5 years. Love me some Del Dotto.
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3/26/2017 - BordeauxBoy wrote: 91 Points
May be the biggest Cab Franc I've ever tasted. Guessed Napa Cab Sauv at a blind tasting because it's just so fruit forward with big sweet tannins. Hopefully it will settle down, lose some of that baby fat, and find a little more balance as everything settles out. Should go up in score with a little age.
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10/6/2015 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Del Dotto Cave Barrel Tasting with India.
Appearance: Dark ruby red.
Nose: Flowers, cinnamon, spices, chalk.
Palate/Finish: Well structured, balanced, moderate tannins, solid dark cherries and grips the top of the palate.
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