Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7240
Rich FRank has had a long and successful career in Hollywood. At the culmination of his tenure at Disney, he had been President of Walt Disney Studios for nearly ten years. When he considered retirement, he intended to spend more time in Napa Valley, where he had a weekend house; but it really wasn't in his nature to retire at all. In 1992, he bought the historic Larkmead winery in Calistoga, former site of Hans Kornell Cellars. While he was re-inventing himself as a vintner, he re-entered the entertainment business, where he is still an industry leader involved in management and production. In the meantime, with the help of his over-achieving family, he has made Frank Family Vineyards into a Napa Valley powerhouse. In a short time, the winery, with the valuable assistance of winemaker Todd Graff, has ascended into the firmament of valley superstars, achieving cult status and a wide circle of fans. Here are my tasting notes for some of Frank Family's most recent wines: 90 Frank Family Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay, Lewis Vineyard, Carneros ($40) Bright, clean and fruit-forward with nice depth and texture; ripe citrus fruit and good acid structure integrated with lovely vanilla oak. 90 Frank Family Vineyards 2007 Sangiovese, Napa Valley ($49.50) Fresh and juicy with cranberry and cassis; lively acidity; nervy and authentic, with a long, balanced finish. 89 Frank Family Vineyards 2007 Zinfandel, Napa Valley ($36.75) Smooth and lush with velvety texture and ripe blackberry fruit; juicy, bright and long with balance and depth. 90 Frank Family Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($45) Smooth, ripe, and rich with dense plum-blackberry fruit and lush texture; long, mellow and balanced. 92 Frank Family Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Reserve, Napa Valley ($85) Sensual velvety texture delivers ripe plum and boysenberry; long and unctuous. 94 Frank Family Vineyards 2006 Winston Hill Red Wine, Napa Valley ($150) Rich and deep with intense flavors of plum and blueberries; dense, velvety and ripe; full of juice but beautifully structured. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc. His Most Delicious Production Yet Former Disney exec Rich Frank runs the show at Frank Family Vineyards Rich Frank outside the historic Larkmead winer y.