Franciscan Oakville Estate cabernet sauvignon 2001 (review)

74 points

From Napa Valley, California.

Bought and consumed in USA. Very good vintage.

OK but disappointing. Bland, alcoholic, soft cabernet with no depth. Soft but noticeable malic acid finish.

Why do these wines, and similar from Barossa Valley Australia and Cape Town South Africa get solid ratings from US wine critics ?

Iwas born in the New World, and still today buy more New World wines but I'm not an idiot. This is not fine wine.

It even lacks concentration - which I thought was the obvious way to get a decent Parker scores. Though it does have alcohol - the other obvious way to get a decent Parket score. Which I assume most Napa Cabernets aspire to.