And last time we tasted only the reserve level wines, this time I requested a tasting of their entire portfolio and they were happy to oblige. It was a terrific tasting that lasted a total of TWO AND A HALF HOURS!!!
Lots to report on, so let's get right to it. Prices below DO include taxes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQqS91Dmlj2Posz7VcrrJu63XQFrUnpUkVfQE-QMgEtjRuQOlphZ0cIcsp96J0KvqqesRqXUAXzjhzOhfiKVfXRqBQLJqYde8mO7MJkAd5KrxlQGQPqKqm__bkhrGmMGyLXpCPw__O70/s200/bottle-sauvignon-blanc-220x55011.png)
Aromas of gooseberry, Meyer lemon, apricot, grass and passion fruit. Citrus fruit on the palate, well balanced acidity, and a hint of grassy and herbaceous notes. 88.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqQsx4AxTnLNu1JH03kcnpeene0jHxKSTf-B89ND-aGOGUIrng-ChWcVvn1osaFP5ZjXBeEQLAttp8Iezuo4nOEvvPhiASlueE0DJYNFuTlv1TfKTAC8UaZTPSTXhxHUvkpad5tFjD2U/s200/bottle-semillon-220x550111.png)
Fresh pear and lemon aromas. Pear, fig, lemon, honeysuckle and orange blossom flavors. Beautiful and ageable, with a lush mid-palate and creamy mouthfeel. A top notch Semillon. 90.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43Q90eiF9tVIj9pkoCNL6Te-1gRqQokb_1LgfoR2_3eTS5VvIMgah2mmdarFPzE8-KVFckr4_3VwOl6GqKMBGP9etOjrrdd6ZQEXM2PcBUu3eVz8Gv3BMkx6NcNRkL_PcXtaJC3H0qRQ/s200/bottle-riesling-220x550111.png)
Made in the tradition of Alsace, with notes of lime, pineapple, honeysuckle, green apple a hint of diesel. Slightly off-dry with tart green apple and key lime pie flavors. 87.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqta59xb6Q3I8Vu6Q5kykRMEOR8eDtJ6UsDc6tATHH6hOT7scnNuAmKJdSiHykcw1t-y7HdzwkZJ1ewIyUqF4nGSQv3AVCEXauuaOPvcXlK-jFHeh3_xHzbjX2CHeIUQWJz22HsosrwPM/s200/bottle-chardonnay-220x550111.png)
La Frenz 2016 Chardonnay ($22.00)
Aromas of stone fruit, vanilla and oak. Juicy red apple, peach and vanilla flavors. Creamy mouthfeel. 87.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8pPLgRGj0JeA613gRO4T-LHpMJ0fTVcXNkC9-IK-YV2ucpAnn1CWRC5wJKMtyrdR0nNu89OfQEtstJzMBKlVYhlhqbt4TBCAKNqGSvfyi7c8ejaCGbqxKjhJWndWZmBi703vgpwW0uQ/s200/bottle-viognier-220x550111.png)
La Frenz 2016 Viognier ($24.00)
Peach, papaya, coconut and herbs tantalize your olfactory senses. Banana, stone fruit, sage, honey and limestone on the palate. Juicy and delicious. 90.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEb7C6RMZPIJDC7A5w5nTFagXsW1RBvrZUdmCLu0z36v_z-WbY5E9lkImOKoysO-ZJv-oDVkEWrQI1X8b_WXlVBj8-IYVj0hnAjewz7oRT-k0gufKO_med1m5LmS3DMYHcyUH87xh8r4/s200/bottle-ensemble-220x5501.png)
78% Sauvignon Blanc/22% Semillon
Who needs Bordeaux when you have this beauty? Passion fruit, lemongrass and peach on the nose. Complex and delicious flavors include orange blossom, gooseberry, straw and a touch of honey. 91.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTcLg7ozfCJ9_nGTS5oNw9LRsHTCCDoHCEBxFFRDakqkKRuUd3XWq8Hs61eiXUqyX6dU1DuLbQsIvLqXKnUPhwXTdN350bs65ghJ1iZ4Za85EmZNaJ0DR0bZMIIlhyphenhyphenTOeX0VRi7rUGSs/s200/bottle-chardonnay-RES-220x550111.png)
Arresting white peach, guava and wet stone on the nose. Barreled in 100% French Oak, 30% new, it picks up just a touch of toasty oak flavors to go with melon and baking spice and minerality. 88.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTIYGeeOKOvN91YBuMbDVTe_ELvmIRnmvG2joE25pW6fqAExZmcj-5kwwCy2J_3lS7xkxGlfsn4M_EOulo3TofgNhtmMP6pNpmLSpncu815H_Niz4lUcc6UapdlODP_5C1ok0CZG1jYo/s200/bottle-vivant-220x5501.png)
La Frenz 2015 Reserve Vivant ($25.00)
56% Viognier, 22% Roussanne, 22% Chardonnay
Aromas of baked pears and papaya with just a hint of hazelnut. Papaya and pear flavors in the first wave, followed up by a hint of caramel and touch of spice on the finish. 89.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxprCpSKG_LZbE3Tx9gJV7Vkm_ikjqQS-CKyx1YaS2kS6muPeBDcPU2_OGSXT_77aHPfd3AGMMkEyI98rXY8F1urdJvtpeTs5Dq9uZ4xzdMmSwY2gd_g5pbmBdPVrOzjHLe4LMw0NVtg/s200/lafrenz_pinotn_2013-220x55011.png)
La Frenz 2015 Desperation Hill Pinot Noir ($25.00)
Red berries dominate the nose, giving way to darker berries, licorice and a touch of spice on the palate. 88.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImD4I2LPRcleF71ev2Ssl6RbiLe1aTvCYn4J-OobGqHJubqbJ93ZDivqmBPXnTy39FJ6Nvq0yO4MfHl-wOrxSGFmYanEJ0wHF7ra99OZfuFfaAWEk0H09Xb5shnLjBfncXSifAcI32Ws/s200/bottle-pinot-noir-RES-220x55011.png)
La Frenz 2015 Reserve Pinot Noir ($35.00)
Intense and pretty aromas of forest floor, leather, black fruit and baking spice. Red cherry, nutmeg, and is that a hint of chocolate cake on the palate? Just delicious. 91.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9OWohY051ZV9AtMXSQGa6IHvlp9TqSJnW1oxDJwnht4wsii0W7ahpCX80Cfspj-nl_aHh7Hfjwx5p3Db0ufCgG-jUPclc1GPFX1I4LFtwWc97hE2ssGwmxQC3MLEtPBRUwW0f85Y1IU/s200/bottle-shiraz-220x55011111.png)
La Frenz 2015 Syrah ($30.00)
Sweet violets, blueberry and blackberry aromas. Ripe and juicy flavors include licorice, blueberry, cold cuts, white pepper and a very long finish. 90.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy3m0uVRcu4lOdTkikZjLK2rgJ_RRK0kIhYXT81F7tRIdTxQHVmS8Y0gey0-NO91cS30JnBg8Ab30TlB8fDpnhKlrjhofiII9lqhd0S7oR7hvxO9kSHHY4YbSWHm8IbOKU7fujJqYWXE/s200/bottle-malbec-220x5501111.png)
La Frenz 2015 Malbec ($28.00)
Raspberry jam, black fruit and earth on the nose. Rich mouthfeel, with flavors of dark chocolate, roasted herbs, black cherry and charred meat. Long finish. 89.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyeVN9tTTzD7JX3SOtBek7M0s5yFLDOtof18VhFKulU4Q5Zlx0mEIqEsOSZGgurmnHQeNrOe2L_UTPY_myb-6HfvHEWzxCKqU73T4chXK8eoqXFsJP35o0Zyq72X5UzZwSsqMF-oam6g/s200/bottle-merlot-220x55011111.png)
Blackberry, vanilla, plum and mocha on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, Christmas cake and black cherry. Really terrific with a very juicy mid-palate. 91.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDMnDgyDp5jOOgT6BbpcMyUn_l4yS4tziinvbEHIekf05XBpXD0YFITwCQDvGb_-_MzQGxsf7KvFNt3Ypkz5GYgYGJYzttzGjcGQLsCjzwOSw2GizI5i-bH7CYpBwyP932V0CT7A_kFk/s200/bottle-cabernet-sauvignon-220x55011111.png)
La Frenz 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30.00)
Intense aromas of eucalyptus, vanilla, plum, thyme and black licorice. Beautiful, lingering flavors include eucalyptus, espresso, blackberry and earth. 91.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOmuuYndgvy_h1czMX101E_YOnIr4ep-Tc9MNzsuQBmt_2rMlfqog_UvIv1r2Nz4G0SrHKKPkOPdmGuXWr8HYQhaa4JlY7DdEK94tbn1UofcE7IzaqVNbCpQv2Xi4biiscoyoXz0j9X4/s200/bottle-GTR-220x5501.png)
42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
Black plum, cassis and mocha on the nose. Flavors of earth, leather, vanilla and dark chocolate. This is a big, closed, hairy beast, which is going to get much better with age. If you have to drink it now, decant it for at least 2 hours; but better to lay it down and let it get to where it is going. 91-93.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9z15OS0r9nHJVacHivT6fl1Ond-kpcdZF9g0XVjUk0PnCO9ZOX8v4Zu71AEtX1qfm58THrlwsEcgMR3rgxEDx7lFgwS_zXBa7ixWBvpf5gfuBZGNDuqdHwK_U-E3e_cw1ho8nBwlmrs/s200/bottle-tawny-220x5501111.png)
La Frenz NV Tawny (Bottled 2017) $22.00
Aromas include dark fruit cake and butterscotch. The cake doesn't go away on the palate, joined by all kinds of candied fruit, dates, walnuts and butterscotch. Pull up a chair to a warm cozy fire, wrap yourself in a blanket, and enjoy a glass of this on a cold winter day. 90.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy7tlBvki6v7CyAE7gAPeFhq3JoNBh9qyJTkQo8AxxHmiqIen0OkbXZees_ShvL8NsgMA-LIWiUVdvG-0Zk9GBDfnMPPaglhQJqBRLGZtIkkHJ-LIkMe05lPgR6x8KpuKXyu6X3mY3eE/s200/bottle-muscat-220x55011.png)
Vanilla, Earl Gray tea, brown sugar and raisins on the nose. Beautiful, rich, throat-coating flavors of butterscotch, raisins, cinnamon and orange marmalade. There should be a law against something so odd being so good. 91.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtMGXTR7MisIX46TFMVXGJEj8YQ5Vcs8PdH9-a-PQ70Mlk-BueNLZTNNlkYwKIUYoN7nodiMf5C_KwuD1zd3Uz5JZlSqAPkhDGifBgbPx_kuAQWKaZ6AH2qxA1HtVxOrLYxBPkyyr3ko/s200/bottle-vintage-port-220x550111.png)
La Frenz 2016 Vintage Port Style ($26.00)
Aromas of blueberry and white pepper. Flavors of dark plum, blueberry and licorice. By all that is good and holy, don't open this now, let it sit for a year, or five, or twenty, and it will be very special. 90-92.
Whew. My hands are sore from all that typing! What a terrific experience and we left with QUITE A BIT of wine, as you can imagine.
Next up: Just down the street for our second experience at Little Engine!
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