Bernard Baudry, Les Granges Chinon 2013, Loire, France

Tasting Note: For those of you who enjoy earthy elements combined with moderate acidity in a fruit restrained (vs a fruit forward) style, this cab franc is for you.

The ruby colored Chinon has a nose of wet-crumbled black earth, damp cedar mulch, and slightly-under-ripe black plum mixed with a dash of green vegetables -and it works.

On the palate the cabernet franc shows restrained black fruit laced with medium-plus acidity that completes with a sour-cherry finish.

The wine makes its main flavor impact early at the 30% point of the taste and then at the back of your tongue leading to a moderate puckering sensation.

The wine has some traces of mid-palate complexity, but overall serves as a relatively straightforward expression of the varietal from the Chinon region.