Two Home Runs in One Evening – Both 2014’s, Crocker & Starr Cabernet Franc & Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background:
Had a very busy few days moving my wife’s mother to an assisted living facility. It is amazing how much a 97-year-old can accumulate (even with a prior house sale three years ago!). After one day of physical labor and a couple of days of arranging furniture, fixing little things, hanging pictures, getting medical records, shopping for supplies, etc., the work was 99% completed on Tuesday late afternoon. Came home and decided to celebrate a bit with two excellent wines after a few emotional and intense days.
Wine #1 – 2014 Crocker & Starr Cabernet Franc
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2014 Crocker & Starr Cabernet Franc possessed a bright purple hue on the eyes. On the nose, a fascinating combination of plum, vanilla and clove were the first impressions. On the mouth, a classic light “green vegetable/bell pepper” characteristics which gave way to dark & red fruits, tea and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish was long and mellow with residual sweet pipe tobacco. At the “beta event” for the International Cabernet Franc Competition the 2015 Crocker & Starr came in second. If we had tasted the 2014, I am sure it would have won!! Pricing on the web shows it from $80 to $120/bottle. Enjoyed this wine with a quick and simple dinner.
(more on this wine can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2019/10/21/2007-oshaughnessy-mount-veeder-cabernet-sauvignon-and-2014-crocker-starr-cabernet-franc/ )
Wine #2 – 2014 Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wine Spectator rated it 95 points and Parker in the 90’s. In 2017 it was listed as #7 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines. Meyer Vineyard fruit is on the hillside estate vineyard and aged 18 month in French oak barrels. On the eyes it is a very deep crimson color and heavy viscosity. On the nose dark fruits and chocolate waft into the senses. But similar only in the analogy of a circus clowns coming one after another from a tiny car, this wine continues to unfurl with flavors, layers and aromas. Dark cherry is prominent along with vanilla pipe tobacco with a finish of black licorice and long-lasting enjoyment. Pricing ranges from $80 to $100/bottle on the web.
(more on this story at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/02/12/meyer-vineyards-2014-cabernet-sauvignon-8-of-wine-spectators-top-100-2017/ )
No food was tasted with this wine, just simply to enjoy sipping for the evening which we both did!!
Can’t wait to finish them this evening!
Sláinte,
Michael