Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank
On my most recent trip to Napa and Sonoma in October I had the good pleasure of meeting up with fellow wine blogger Beth Smith, a.k.a Traveling Wine Chick. Beth and I had connected when she came across my previous review of the 2011 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank. It was an excellent wine and one of my favorites from the Conn Valley Vineyards portfolio from when I tasted there. It also happens to be one of the best values in the portfolio.
With the 2012 vintage being heralded as a hallmark vintage, Beth was excited and gracious enough to share this new release with me. As a big fan of the wines being produced at Conn Valley Vineyards, I couldn’t wait to try the 2012 Right Bank.
We had the good pleasure of sharing a bottle over a tasty dinner at Kitchen Door in downtown Napa after a long day of travel. Needless to say it was a real pleasure to enjoy some great wine in great company! Beth insisted that I take a bottle home with me to review and I’m glad I did…
Appearance: A dark, brilliant garnet red.
Nose: A very aromatic wine likely from the high concentration of Cabernet Franc. It bursts from the glass with floral notes of lavender and potpourri as well as black cherry, leather and smoke.
On the palate: The 2012 Right Bank is initially quite full and juicy yet with good structure. It is markedly more ripe and authoritative than the 2011 Right Bank. Notes of lavender, raspberry and black cherry make way to leather, truffle, dusty cocoa and baking spices. This has excellent purity and good length. While the tannins are still noticeably present, they are finely grained and supportive without overwhelming the palate.
Varietal Composition: 67% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Value Rating: 4.5 / 5
How I got it: A gift from Traveling Wine Chick
Price: $60
Score: 95
Should you buy? Yes. If you regularly shop for wine in this price range, then you owe it to yourself to try the 2012 Conn Valley Right Bank. If you don’t, this would make a terrific splurge bottle to celebrate with. How could you not try Napa Valley’s take on the legendary Cheval Blanc?
Value Proposition – Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank 2012
While the 2011 was also a complex, well-made wine, the 2012 is a bigger, richer Right Bank that is drinking very well now but will be exciting to revisit in say 5 years time. For it’s richness and depth it never feels heavy or overpowering. You just keep wanting to come back for more of the 2012 Right Bank, and it doesn’t need a meal to be thoroughly enjoyed.
The 2012 Right Bank is also a more likely to remind you of the Cheval Blanc of the Right Bank of Bordeaux for which it was originally styled after. More on how the Right Bank came to be at Conn Valley Vineyards HERE.
Like Cheval Blanc it is composed predominantly of Cabernet Franc at 67% while the 2011 Right Bank made use of a predominantly Merlot composition at 78%. The result is a 2012 Right Bank that marries power and richness with an elegant and delicately floral personality. It’s just delicious and well worth the price and would make a great bottle for when you’re celebrating something special. Plus if you join the wine club or mailing list, the Right Bank can be had at a nice discount and let’s not forget that it’s still a whole lot less expensive than a bottle of Cheval Blanc!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review of the 2012 Right Bank. I agree it’s one of the best in the Conn Valley portfolio. You are very welcome for the wine as well. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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