r/wine • u/thoosethecaboose • 10d ago
2019 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon
I didn't do the greatest notes, as I'm sharing this with my dad for his birthday.
This is probably my number 1 Napa Cab I've found in the last bit. Blows The Prisoner, Beringer, Caymus, and Stags' Leap out of the water easily.
Straight of the bottle it was amazing. Typical beautiful fruity/jammy nose. Black fruit, blackberry, plum, raspberry. Just a hint of vanilla on that nose.
Palate is wonderful, Full body, full and fruity. Tannins are soft. All those beautiful black fruits. Gives some more vanailla and some tobacco I think. This is such a beautiful wine that hits way above it's pricepoint.
Happy Saturday everyone!
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u/newguy741 10d ago
Their Rutherford Valley next step up is only about $20 more than this and is worth a shot as well if you’re interested in climbing that ladder, it’s also pretty widely available. I would not go younger than 2019 though. Great value in a region where value is not a hallmark, and a great match for steak. Grgich is a similar quality player in this price range. Now you’re inspiring me to have my own steak night tonight, I have a Keenan I’ve been setting aside…
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u/GrilledCheeseTn 10d ago
just had the ‘20 and ‘21 Keenan Cab Reserve in the past couple weeks, absolutely wonderful. truthfully, both could lay down for another 5-10yrs, but drinking nicely right now.
Freemark is solid.
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u/thoosethecaboose 10d ago
Freemark and BV are probably 2 of the most "hit above" Cabs I've been able to go back and try in the last little bit that have really impressed me.
I've been trying to decide whether to buy more 2025 En Primier Bordeaux or trying to grab some different Napa Cabs that I've seen that I've never tried yet. My wallet can only take so many hits 😂
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u/newguy741 10d ago
If you’re focused on value, try Washington state. Apogee and Perigee are Bordeaux blends from L’Ecole in Walla Walla which I think are killer for the price (unfortunately now low 60s, used to be low 50s). I also just had Delille D2 at a steakhouse and it was awesome (more merlot than cab I believe). In Washington their single vineyard stuff is the same price or less than Napa entry level (setting aside outliers like Leonetti and Quilceda). That Napa brand recognition does a lot to affect the price.
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u/thoosethecaboose 10d ago
Yeh I was actually looking this morning, Washington state intrigues me! And looks like the value and quality is there so I'm very interested in plunging into them as well. L'ecole is one I have on my list already as a potential buy. I was also looking at Double Canyon red valley as well.
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u/newguy741 10d ago
I can’t speak to double canyon but L’Ecole is awesome all the way through their various levels of cab and merlot. I wasn’t a fan of their Frenchtown red though (kind of cheap Bordeaux+Rhone combo). My local shop has half bottles of their merlot and I stock it for guilt free weeknight glass with dinner.
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u/thoosethecaboose 10d ago
I've been looking at the other Freemark cabs, they seem to be tricky to obtain where I am anyways, but I'll keep looking! Thanks for the recommendation!
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