2008 Gemstone Red
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(66% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 3% cabernet franc): Deep ruby-red. Distinctly more mineral-driven than the Facets bottling, offering lovely lift and delicacy to the aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice and rock. Juicy, shapely and suave, if in a rather masculine style. A strong element of warm crushed stone energizes the mid-palate. This intense, harmonious wine struck me as rather Pauillac in style. Today I don't find the porty element shown by a barrel sample a year ago. Structured to age slowly and gracefully.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The flagship wine, the 2008 Gemstone (100% Cabernet Sauvignon even though it is a proprietary red) is a flamboyant, opulent, medium to full-bodied effort revealing stunning concentration, purity and balance. Aged 22 months in 100% new French oak, it reveals elegance, perfume and richness along with a layered mouthfeel. Already drinking well, it should evolve for 15 or more years. Situated in Yountville in the southern Napa Valley, this vineyard was founded by Paul and Suzie Frank and is now owned by Michael and Carol Marks. I have always enjoyed the Gemstone wines for their combination of southern Napa Valley freshness, elegance and perfume backed up by serious richness and intensity. The second wine, Facets, is a selection made by consulting winemaker Philippe Melka. Tel. (707) 944-0944; Fax (707) 945-0235
Bright, saturated ruby. Black cherry, crushed rock and minerals on the nose. Juicy and suave, with primary flavors of blueberry, plum, licorice, smoke and mint. Smaller-scaled than the 2007 but with suave and more successfully integrated tannins that will make for earlier drinkability. Still quite primary and yet this offers generosity of texture. The rising finish features some superripe suggestions of black cherry, plum and licorice.