Dr. Konstantin Frank, Cabernet Franc 2012, Finger Lakes, New York

Tasting Note: A cabernet franc with mid-palate complexity and an extra helping of black fruit.

This wine has heft and body with a blend of red and black fruit and supple tannin.

Deep ruby in color, this cabernet franc has an aromatic nose of black currant, ripe red plum, prune, blackberry, clove and cinnamon baking spice.

On the attack the medium-plus bodied red expresses its blend of red and black fruit followed by a tinge of tart-medium acidity that begins mid-palate with the taste graduating into medium tannin towards the back of your mouth.

Bottle Note: Cabernet Franc, the premier red grape of Bordeaux and the Loire valley thrives here in New York’s Finger Lakes, where it is considered one of the most promising varieties. In the Dr. Frank vineyard, it produces small amounts of fruity red wine of medium structure, making it an interesting alternative to the more tannic cabernet sauvignon. Dr. Konstantin Frank, known as “the father of Vinifera” in the Eastern United States, pioneered viticultural methods that a generation of Eastern wineries have used to grow these superb varieties of European grapes.