I think some of us somehow forget how great Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley can be. Sure, it is easy to overlook this varietal in a place where Cab is the resounding force, but I have been really impressed with Pinot Noir particularly in the cooler sites throughout this region. Frank Family has been around for nearly 30 years. As the former President of Disney Studios, Rich Frank traveled extensively across the globe, trying the great wines of the world. Over time he knew that Napa Valley was the perfect setting to start a winery. Leslie Frank also had an incredibly successful career, spending more than 25 years covering news stories, and the last nine years of her TV news career reporting and anchoring at the number-one-rated station, KABC in Los Angeles. Rich and Leslie manage everything from vineyard purchases, to sales and marketing.
Superstar winemaker Todd Graff first stated with Frank Family in 2003. I loved his wines across the board as he has really earned a fantastic reputation for his Chardonnay wines over the years but he also makes a sensational Pinot Noir. While their entry level Pinot is fantastic, their crown jewel, the ‘Reserve’ is sourced from the Lewis Vineyard which is located in Carneros in close proximity to San Pablo Bay. This wine is aged for ten months in 50% new French oak which integrates so well with the fruit. I adored the new 2018 Frank Family ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is fresh and vibrant with a wonderful rich mouthfeel. The 2015 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) shows what a little bottle age will do. This wine is dense, showing now really good earthy tones but carries the wonderful cola and bright red fruits. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/ Here are my tasting notes on the ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir wines by Frank Family.
2015 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is at a perfect place right now. Still incredibly youthful, this shows a really good range of red fruits with cola tones and wild mushroom on this evocative bouquet. The palate is fresh and has a wonderful feel of fatness, with a silky texture. Layers of pomegranate seed and cherry cola collide with minerals, damp earth and shades of black truffle shavings on the palate. This is sinfully good stuff right now that will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Every bit outstanding, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is a glorious new wine by Todd Graff. Once on the nose tones of red rose petal and red raspberry are woven together with smoke, cran-pomegrante and shades of dusty terroir. The palate is rich and viscous, with a great veil of tension. Ripe Yakima cherry flavors combine with baking spices, minerals and cran-orange flavors with light damp earthy tones. This finishes very long. Great to savor in its bright phase now, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir will be long-lived. Drink 2021-2033- 93