Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – 750ml Breakthru

93pts James Suckling

A fresh and clean Napa cabernet with blackcurrants and hints of fresh herbs, such as parsley and thyme. Medium-bodied, delicious and bright. Varietal. Real.

93pts Somm Journal

A big, meaty, and comforting Cab, with classic cassis, herbs, and a hint of boysenberry on the nose and palate joining appealing, toasty notes of spice. Excellent concentration, fresh acidity, structured tannins, and a long finish.

91pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes racing out of the glass with bold notes of warm cassis, cedar and mulberries, plus wafts of dried mint, tobacco and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, soft and juicy in the mouth, it is packed with bright fruit, finishing long and lifted.

90pts Jeb Dunnuck

Lots of spicy, sappy herbs, sandalwood, and tobacco notes emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Frank Family Vineyards. A classic, old-school-like expression of the variety, it has plenty of fruit, silky tannins, and lots of character. It’s well worth following over the coming 10-12 years.

Winemaker Notes

The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon’s pronounced aromas of black cherry, cassis, and vanilla welcome you into the glass. Flavors of ripe blackberry, baked fruit tart, strawberry, and a touch of espresso enhance the wine’s balanced acidity and continue through to a long and lingering finish.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot, 1% Merlot

Winery Notes

Take a trip back in time at the Frank Family Vineyards. First constructed as the Larkmead Winery in 1884, the building was refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906 and still stands tall today. The massive stone edifice is considered an archetype of California’s wine country; it appears on the National Register of Historical Places and is listed as a Point of Historical Interest in the state of California.

Owner Richard Frank focuses his energies on making superb still wines. The winery produces Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and several distinctly different Cabernet Sauvignons. The highly regarded Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which is barrel aged for two and one-half years, is emerging as one of the most sought after wines in the valley and their Napa Carneros Vineyards produce some of the finest Chardonnay available. The Sangiovese, a rising star, is created entirely from grapes grown on Rich’s property and the Zinfandel comes from the Brown Vineyards in the Chiles Valley. Once owned by wine legend Hans Kornell, the winery originally secured its reputation with sparkling wines. Five sparkling wines are handcrafted today in the old building: Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, occasionally the Rouge and Reserve. All of these are made in the traditional French methode champenoise style.

Frank Family Vineyards wines are produced in small quantities and currently sold only at the winery and a handful of select retailers. A visit to the winery is not complete without a story-filled tour or at least a walk through the historic building where the thick stone walls, high-stacked barrels and rich bouquet of aging wines create the utmost in winery ambience. The winery provides separate tasting areas for sparkling wines and still wines. Just outside, to the south of the building, visitors are welcome to sit under the giant oak trees, relax at the wooden picnic tables and enjoy spectacular vineyard views.