Freemark Abbey Sycamore Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 – 750ml Redneck Wine Company

95pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The superstar of this trio is the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore, which comes from a vineyard planted in gravelly soils about a mile south of the Bosche Vineyard. Composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, it is a deeper, fuller, more complete effort displaying blacker fruit flavors. Notes of blackberries, cassis, licorice, charcoal, graphite and dark chocolate emerge from this opaque-colored, full-bodied, muscular, back-strapping Cabernet. Give it another 2-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 15+. 

93pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

At nearly 20 years of age, the deep garnet-hued 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore (part of this year’s annual library release) shows some brick at the rim and offers up classic cigar-box aromas of dried tobacco, cedar and vanilla, plus ample notions of dried fruit. It’s medium to full-bodied, plush and velvety in feel, with a lingering finish and softly dusty tannins. Fully mature but in no danger of drying out soon, it should continue to drink well for at least another three or four years.

Wine Enthusiast

A bit closed now, locked down by stubborn tannins and a slight mustiness, but it’s a very good wine that should begin to open in a few years. It’s got rich black cherry, currant and herb flavors.

Winemaker Notes

Opaque with dark ruby hues; deep and brooding with lots of depth in the nose. A host of inviting black fruit aromas including blackberries, boysenberries, black currant, dark cherries, with cinnamon, clove, dark chocolate, and a hint of lavender. Entry is smooth, full of dark cherry flavors reminiscent of a dark chocolate/cherry truffle, yet not sweet but with a wonderful, inviting, pleasant balance…a finish that draws you back for another glass! Seductively balanced with good structure and moderate tannins.

Vineyard Notes

Located on the southern end of the Rutherford Bench, Sycamore vineyard’s proximity to the Mayacamas mountains provides the perfect climate for growing a rich, textured Cabernet. The wine is deep garnet in color with aromas reminiscent of black currant, pomegranate, baking spice, forest floor and espresso. The palate is rich and textured with flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, leather, and warm oak spices. The site gives the wine great tannin structure that is bold but integrated, making it lovely to drink now with the capability to age in the cellar for decades.

Primary Vineyard: Sycamore Vineyard—Rutherford (100%): Small 24-acre vineyard located about 1.2 miles south of Bosche, right up against the Mayacamas Range, this vineyard has a rich clay loam. Sycamore Vineyard produces small berries reminiscent of mountain fruit berries, with intense extract of color and flavor. The color is very dark early in the fermentation, with flavors of black currant and black berry with a forest floor complexity.

Life span in a proper cellar 20-30 years.

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Merlot 8% Cabernet Franc 6% Petit Verdot