Over the decades Peter Franus Wine Company has received numberous reviews in a number of industry publications. These are some of the more recent we have been fortunate enough to have had featured.
From the Stewart Vineyard in Carneros, planted with the Musqué clone, this white is spicy and sublimely textured, with a persistence of mineral mystique and balanced ripeness. Its well-crafted fruitiness is a mix of white peach and lime. - V.B. (Mar. 2018)
This lively white is sourced from one site, the Stewart Vineyard in Carneros. It offers incredibly inviting aromatics and high-volume freshness, a nice combination that's balanced and ready for seafood. Peach and apple crispness further define it. -V.B. (May 2018)
From a single site in Carneros, the Stewart Vineyard, this wine is exuberant in red fruit, with a sly hint of tobacco and tomato leaf. Big ripe tannins wrap around a meaty side show of garrigue and black pepper, finishing in elegant ripeness. -V.B. (Mar. 2018)
What a great break from boring commercial red blends! This vibrant but deep wine from the Fore Family Vineyard at 3,000-feet elevation has beautiful spicy aromas like black pepper, cardamom and tar, distinctive flavors of cranberry and black cherry and a taut texture of fine-grained tannins and good acidity. -Jim Gordon (Aug. 2016)
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers notable energy to balance its dark fruit. Savory herbs, tobacco, plum and red cherry all develop nicely with air. The 2014 is not a huge wine, but it is deceptive in its mid-weight structure, as has terrific energy as well as nuance. -Antonio Galloni (Dec. 2016)
Dense aromas of forest fruits and raisins lead on to a lifted and delicate palate. A sleek attack with drive and energy. Limpid and poised with dark chocolate and a long, menthol finish. - (April 2018)
Aromas of blackberries and tar with hints of walnuts follow through to a medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a savory finish. Delicious. -James Suckling (Jan. 2017)
Baked earth, mocha and vanilla characterize this field blend of 90% zinfandel with a rough mix of 10% Mourvèdre, Charbono, and Carignan. Robust on the pallet with a textured mouthfeel, it's full-bodied with bright, underlying acidiy and black peppery finish. -V.B. (May 2018)
Combines power with finesse and grace, featuring an extracted core of dark berry, loamy earth and crushed rock amid the dried herb and cedary notes. Smooth early on, yet gains tannic traction. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. -J.L. (April 2016)
Stewy, meaty and juicy, this wine is fleshy and expansive on the palate, with deft touches of smoke, black cherry and berry pie. Seasoned throughout is a classical layering of black pepper and cinnamon that keeps it fesh and spicy. - V.B. (May 2018.)
It's great to find a big dry wine like this that has good structure without giving up the expansive berry flavors that Zin does so well. The aromas are potent with ultraripe blackberry and black cherry, then the mouthfeel has good gripping tannins for a lip-smacking finish. —J.G. (May 2018)
This is a densely flavored and firmly textured wine that will benefit from further aging. It has a deep color, restrained aromas of black pepper, beef and berries and a mouthcoating viiscosity due in part to an abundance of fine-grained tannins. -J.G. (May 2018)
-Peter and our importer Michiyo Hagio in Tokyo