2014 Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch (100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford) is named to honor the 99th year of the Frank legacy. (The patriotic history of the Franks, authored by Rich Franks, is well worth reading on the back label.) The fruit for this wine is culled out from the Winston Hill Vineyard. Somewhat similar in style to the Winston Hill Cabernet, this wine is flawless, seamless, voluptuous, and a total intellectual and hedonistic turn-on. Dense ruby/purple, with glorious levels of black currant and blackberry fruit as well as some cherries thrown in for extra dimension, it is full-bodied, silky smooth, and a terrific example of California world-class winemaking. It is approachable and delicious already, but it will be better in 5-6 years and no doubt last for 25-30. A worthy bottle from a patriotic family, for sure!

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Patriarch emerges from a section within Winston Hill and is positioned as the top of the range. The Patriarch is inkier, deeper and sweeter than the Winston Hill, but it is not materially better or more complex. If anything, the intensely jammy flavors cover anything that might resemble an expression of place. The generous French oak dries out some of the fruit intensity on the finish. Even so, the 2014 is clearly outstanding. But it could also be better, perhaps meaningfully better.