1999 Abacela Cabernet Franc

[dananne]

Umpqua Valley, Oregon.

Dark reddish-purple color, decanted throughout evening. Brambly nose that included not a little oak. Flavors seemed vegetal, with some olive -- couldn't find much fruit, which prompted a discussion about how hard it is to figure out how to properly age New World Cab Franc as a stand-alone varietal. We thought the absence of fruit meant that we held it too long. Left remaining 1/3rd in the decanter, open, until today. Now, the bouquet and flavors are completely different. Velvet texture with wonderful blueberry fruit and some earth. Totally different wine today. Go figure. Alas, it was my only bottle -- paid $23 locally for the Cab Franc aging education. Alc. 12.5%.