McCay Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2012, Lodi, California

Tasting Note: A winner for the region that is impressive not because it approaches French cabernet franc, but because it approaches the grape from a slightly fruit-centric perspective without being overly fruit-forward in style.

Ruby in color, this cabernet franc has an earthy nose of strawberry, interlaced with hay and violet very much in the French Chinon, cab franc style.

There are also some cedar notes. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with fruit showing slightly ahead of the cedar character.

The wine balances just—ripened fruit with soft, integrated medium tannin.

This is only the second vintage of this indigenously-fermented red which the grape grower notes produces consistent fruit from year to year.

Bottle Note: A robust cabernet franc with an elegant finish. A wine with hints of raspberry, black cherry, spice, prune/date are forward in the mouth with earthy tannins makes this cabernet franc a wonderful balanced and round palate finished wine. The finish is ever lingering and deserves time to just to sit in the back of your palate. A fruit forward earthy/tannin wine with just the right amount of oak.