Frank Family Vineyard, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Frank Family has been on a roll, with both its reserve Cabernet and its Winston Hill Bordeaux-style blend scoring a big number in this space. The basic bread-and-butter Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon is tame compared to its stable-mates, but it’s certainly no slouch. This is classic Frank Family, with plenty of upfront ripe fruit, supple tannins and a smooth, long finish. It exhibits layers of blackberry and cassis fruit, with a hint of oak vanillin, and enough grip to play well as a food wine.