'01 Tobin James James Gang Reserve Cabernet Franc

[Innkeeper]

2001 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Paso Robles, Cabernet Franc ($38, but came with the fall ’04 shipment): Alcohol level: 15.2%. On the nose and upfront incredibly ripe red cherry and blackberry fruit as only Franc can do. On the palate we tasted a complex mélange of mocha, vanillin oak, Paso dirt, and smooth but slightly grainy tannin. The finish, in WW’s terms, was a 2 ½ lapper. There was enough fruit and body, that the alcohol was hardly noticeable.

We matched it with sautéed rib steaks in EVOO and Morton rub; mashed potatoes; and salad with the last of this batch of raspberry/hazelnut dressing. Simply delightful!

Bucko: This is being posted here, not because it is like a Loire wine, but because it is a Loire variety. Hope this is OK with you.