I very rarely consume a wine that is made up of 100 percent Cabernet Franc.   They aren’t the easiest wines to find.   Imagine my excitement when I found this bottle from the Loire Valley!

I had some super ripe raspberries as a snack today, and when I smelled this wine it took me back to that snack.   Juicy, ripe raspberry clearly dominates the palate, but there is a hint of white pepper as well.   Not a heavy mouthfeel, but this is a cabernet franc so that is to be expected.   This is not a tannin-heavy wine, but it has great backbone.   The finish definitely has some spice and acidity.

This wine would be excellent with some cheese, cured meat and freshly baked bread.

$15.99/bottle

Triple

Because I need more Pinots under $20 in my life…  don’t we all?

Pie spice, cherry, strawberry, dirt (yup) and thyme on the nose – OK, so this smells like a savory cherry pie.   Medium bodied, with succulent cherry on the finish.   Lots of red fruit but not a fruit bomb.   Maybe a bit of a chchchchcherry bomb, but tart cherry, not sweet cherry.   I like the little bit of zest as well as earthy spice on this wine.   Light, bright, and delicious.

$14.99/bottle at Whole Foods
Triple