Porta Caeli Ament Cabernet Franc
Porta Caeli, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, is a luxury wine brand that tries to model itself after Bordeaux. The winery produces several series including Ament (all red), Pacem (whites), Felici (pink), and their entry series, Porta Diverti (all the colors).
Previously I reviewed the Porta Caeli Ament Bordeaux blend. This post we’re tackling the Ament Cabernet Franc.
Porta Caeli Ament Cabernet Franc 2014 Tasting Notes
Porta Caeli uses the heaviest blasted bottles I have ever hefted. Even after we finished the wine I kept trying to pour more because empty it felt like it should be full. It would make for a great weapon.
The Cabernet Franc here spent 18 months in new oak before being bottled unfiltered. Aromas on the nose were super rich, intensified no doubt by all that new oak. White chocolate joined forest fruits and berries along with sweet tobacco and eucalyptus.
The nose turned out to be heavier and richer than the palate. It presented more tart berries that moved into baking spice, hints of pepper, and a long bitter green finish. Not like, a stemmy bitterness, more bitter greens like arugula.
A big, full-bodied wine here with 14% abv, somewhat biting acidity, and medium tannins.
Nicely made? Yes. My favorite Cabernet Franc in Turkey? Frankly not even close; especially not at the high prices demanded for Porta Caeli’s wines.
May 24, 2020
Orien Wallace
Great review! So very helpful, Porta Caeli wines look big and bold and their prices are scary, this was a very nuanceful review, thank you!
May 25, 2020
admin
Their prices are scary and I’m not entirely convinced they’re worth it. I do have to say though that I enjoy their whites far more than the reds.
May 27, 2020
Orien Wallace
Prices wise I guess very few tags are justified in Turkey, owing to heavy taxation. Wish there were some incentives to support the industry.
May 27, 2020
admin
Taxes an the cost of making wine is exacerbated here (given how much equipment comes from Europe). I do wish there were better support for the industry like you say!