1998 CABERNET SAUVIGNON  NAPA    90 POINTS

Franus is a serious winemaker who produces serious wines. The noteworthy 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, with its aromas of cedar, tobacco, smoke, and black currants, suggests a Napa classic. Full-bodied, deep, and layered with sweet tannin as well as plenty of extract and richness. It is supple enough to be drunk now and over the next 10-12 years.

- Robert M. Parker

90 points Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard Mount Veeder 2000

The much preferred bottling of the Franus bunch, this effort is well-equipped with the concentrated fruit that is the enduring hallmark of the Brandlin Vineyard. It is solid in structure and has a somewhat fleshy palatefeel that leads to extracted flavors of berries and hardwoods. Tannic enough to notice and showing some heat as it finishes, this wine is a bit brawny in style but has the pieces in place to age well. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, January 2003

FRANUS 2001 ZINFANDEL BRANDLIN RANCH MT. VEEDER NAPA 90

A top-notch effort from an under-rated producer, this deep ruby/purple-colored Zinfandel displays aromas of blueberries and crushed rocks in its steely, cool climate style. Elegant yet authoritative and powerful, it is a pure, medium to full-bodied offering with good underlying acidity. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

- Robert M. Parker Jr.'s the Wine Advocate

1999 FRANUS ZINFANDEL BRANDLIN VINEYARD MT. VEEDER 90 POINTS
1999 FRANUS ZINFANDEL PLANCHON VINEYARD 90POINTS

For the quality of the wines that consistently emerge from Franus, this winery remains unheralded. The 1999s are typically structured, concentrated, full-bodied Zinfandels with considerable character and aging potential...at least for this varietal. The deep ruby/purple-colored, structured, tighly-knit 1999 Zinfandel Planchon Vineyard is reminiscent of a Bordeaux in its slightly austere yet deep, dense, intense personality. This full-bodied effort is loaded with dusty, black cherry, currant, and cranberry fruit, but requires another 6-12 months to open. It should age well for 6-8 years. The 1999 Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard Mt. Veeder boasts a saturated ruby/purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of black fruits, minerals, graphite, and subtle oak. A sweet attack is followed by a closed finish. This big, forceful Zinfandel should be cellared for 1-2 years, and enjoyed over the following 7-8.
- Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 2001 1997

ZINFANDEL PLANCHON VINEYARD CONTRA COSTA RED 90 POINTS

1997 ZINFANDEL BRANDLIN VINEYARD MOUNT VEEDER RED 90 POINTS

1997 MOURVEDRE BRANDLIN VINEYARD MOUNT VEEDER RED 91 POINTS

1996 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA RED 88 POINTS

Unlike some of his peers, Peter Franus handled the tricky 1997 Zinfandel vintage well. Both are outstanding efforts for this irregular year. The 1997 Zinfandel Planchon Vineyard displays a deep ruby color, and excellent brambleberry, blackberry, and cherry fruit, with none of the earthy, balsam wood notes that often emerge from Contra Costa Zinfandels. Dense and medium to full-bodied, with lofty alcohol (14.6%), this nicely-textured chewy Zinfandel should drink well for 3-4 years. Also outstanding, the 1997 Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard is a big, brawny, briery Zin made in a mountain style. Peppery and spicy, with noteworthy licorice, mineral, and blackberry and cherry fruit well-displayed in its powerful (14.6% alcohol), fullbodied constitution, it will also drink well for 3-4 years Peter Franus has fashioned a superb 1997 Mourvedre from the Brandlin Vineyard on Mt. Veeder. It is hard to believe this is a 100% Mourvedre as this varietal tends to produce frightfully austere. tannic, and backward wines. There is a wonderful sweetness to this effort's gorgeous blackberry and black raspberry fruit. Notes of leather, tree bark, and spice are present, but the black fruit characteristics dominate the wine's personality. Even readers who resist Mourvedre's intensity, ferocity, and tannic clout will find this wine attractive. It should drink well for a decade or longer. With respect to the 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon i, this wine reveals a Bordeaux-like, cedary, cigar box, black currantscented nose. In addition, chocolate notes appear in the mouth. This classic, well-delineated, expansive, mediumbodied wine possesses fine concentration, an attractive perfume, and admirable complexity. Give it 1-2 more years of cellaring, and enjoy it over the following 10-15 years.

- Robert M. Parker Jr.'s the Wine Advocate, 1999

FRANUS 1999 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RANCHO CHIMILES 90 POINTS

In contrast, the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho Chimiles boasts an opaque ruby-purple color as well as a sweet nose of black currants, licorice, underbrush, and subtle oak. Medium to full-bodied, with great fruit purity and presence as well as a long, spicy, medium to full-bodied finish, it will drink well for 10-12 years.

- Robert M. Parker Jr.'s the Wine Advocate

(One Puff) 2001 FRANUS ZINFANDEL BRANDLIN VINEYARD MT. VEEDER

If never less than fully ripe, this full and somewhat fleshy wine favors fruit at every turn and sports a fine streak of vanillin oak as a complement to its central theme of berries. It tightens at the finish and shows a bit of "mountain" toughness as it ends, yet it is built for keeping and seems certain to benefit from a few years of further cellaring.

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, January, 2004

Great wines simply abound this time of year, and they are not inexpensive - unless, of course, you read carefully through the pages of Connoisseur's Guide and find the two star bargains like Franus in the midst of the $100 beauties....

(Two Puffs) 1997 FRANUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY

Intriguing scents of raspberry, vanilla, orange rind and currants start this one out on the right foot, and its ample, well-filled flavors are every bit as long and deep on fruit and sweet spice as promised by the nose. Tannins and oak conspire to cut things off a bit at the finish just now, but there is more than enough depth and fruity extract to this very well-stuffed wine to keep it on track for up to a decade of steady improvement.

GOOD VALUE

92 Points - Peter Franus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2001

"Fresh grapey, floral, and currant aromas lead to a rich, complex, concentrated core of zesty currant and blackberry fruit flavors that are focused like a laser beam, with vibrant acidity, firm tannins and a rich mouthful of ripe dark fruit, tar, and mineral on the finish. A great price for the best Peter Franus I've tasted. Drink now through 2012." - one of the 2005 Editors' Picks

92 Points - Peter Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Ranch, Napa Valley 2002

"Elegant and stylish, with a rich, fleshy band of black cherry, raspberry, mocha-laced oak and hazelnut flavors that are woven tightly together, finishing with a long, luxurious aftertaste. A Zin that leaves you anxious for a second glass. Drink now through 2009."

93 Points - Peter Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Ranch, Napa Valley, 2002

"Mount Veeder has shown itself to be one of the greatest homes of Zin, and this stunning wine is proof. Has the most amazing blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit, held in check by firm but smooth tannins. Completely dry, at the cost of high alcohol, but remains balanced and flashy."

91 Points (two puffs) - Peter Franus Sauvignon Blanc, Carneros, 2003

"If already successful for its very generous measure of optimally ripened, fig-like fruit and well-defined varietal herbaceousness, this deep and beautifully balanced Sauvignon rises to another level of richness by dint of its very handsome oak. Fruity, creamy and mildly grassy at one and the same time, it is a complete and satisfying wine that will succeed famously with cream-sauced chicken or meaty fish entrees."

92 Points - Peter Franus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2002

"This wine has a wonderful sense of balance, harmony and finesse. The core currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors are rich, ripe and polished, with a tight focus. Best from 2007 through 2012. - J.L."