Friends came over to watch the Seahawks throw the season away in Atlanta yesterday. This is what we drank:
2014 Nefarious Cellars (Lake Chelan) Cabernet Franc Wahluke Slope
Bought this in my never-flagging efforts to support the home team by buying the occasional bottle from a previously unfamiliar winery. In this case, a poor bet. Bigger-bodied and modern with a slightly bitter, RS finish; no sense of place. Wasn't able to finish a glass.
2014 Andrew Will Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
Pitch black, a heavier low-acid style with tame, slightly gritty tannins that feel older than they are, especially as compared to the livelier '13 which is a much better rep of the Andrew Will style. Good for current drinking, but prospects are short- to mid-term at best.
2013 Ransom Cabernet Franc Rogue Valley, Oregon
Options1/15/2017 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 87 points (Edit)
Bright and lively. Red loganberry fruit and green notes more like Douglas Fir than the herbaceous thing usually associated with this grape--might have been the otherwise subdued oak talking. That said it works, the wine's balanced and fun.
2012 Maison Sichel Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
Velveteen texture with just-adequate acidity, tame tannins. Fruit more black than red, attractive and pleasing but not a long-term hold. 2022 at best, I'd say. A great Bordeaux for palates not used to Bordeaux, and some that are.
2002 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series Washington
Opaque and almost black in color. Surprisingly improved over our last bottle two years ago--drier and happily lacking the sweet blueberry finish I remember, with cocoa dust on what remains of the tannins and a pleasing earthiness. Time to drink up, though.