2015 Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc Paso Robles USA ($32): medium+ ruby; medium+ developing aromas of black cherry, red plum, blackberry, black raspberry, blackcurrant leaf, dried thyme, lavender, cloves, nutmeg, chocolate, and vanilla; medium acidity, medium+ tannins, medium+ body and flavor intensity of slightly preserved black plum, blackberry, red cherry, red currant, dried thyme, fennel, white pepper, chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla; spicy finish; really nice earthy wine.
Rockinredblog
2015 Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc — dense ruby in the glass with generous aromas of dark fruit compote, cocoa and dried tobacco. Cocoa remains in the flavor profile along with dark fruit and hints of alfalfa. Tannins are well integrated with the flavors and the finish is at least medium in length. 14.3% abv.
Mike and Lori source the grapes for their Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc from the Plummer Vineyard, located on the east side of Paso Robles. This 100% Cabernet Franc was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels and only 10% of the barrels were new oak.
Pullthatcork
2015 Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc Paso Robles: Retail $32. 100% Cabernet Franc. Dark and red berry fruit with dashes of smoke and forest floor. On the palate, plenty of luscious fruit, with that aforementioned smoke. This wine was fairly aggressive on Day 1, but calmed down considerably by the end of Day 2. Give this a little time (1-3 years) in your cellar, and I have no doubt you will be pleased. Very Good to Outstanding. 88-90 Points.
The Drunken Cyclist
2015 Dracaena Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles, CA ($32)
As the folks that started this Cab Franc movement, you have to raise a glass with Dracaena’s Cab Franc. I finished off my 2014s (see last year’s Cab Franc report) and couldn’t resist a taste of the 2015 to see what it was like. Smooth, rich mouthfeel, which coats the tongue with rich plum, cocoa and opulent black cherry. There’s also a hint of smokiness. Soft tannins make this drinkable now but I think a little more time in the bottle will make it even better. There’s a reason I look forward to each year’s vinatge of this one.
The Corkscrew Concierge
It is rare for a winery to make its mark after just three vintages. It’s even more rare to make that mark based on a grape used more often for blending than as a single varietal. Dracaena Wines has managed to stake its claim early as a winery to watch by doing both.
Read the reviews on Delectable here
Read the reviews on Cellar Tracker here