2008 Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley

If the varietal nose were the only thing going for this wine, I’d be happy.  It smells like Chinon!  The similarity ends there, given that this wine has the substance that comes from Washington’s warmth, but you’ll still find the vibrancy and tannic structure I like in my Francs.  Arguably the only wine of this trio that, to my mind, requires food, but luckily it begs for the sort of dishes that fall inspires: stews, roasts, charcuterie, root vegetables, and wild mushrooms.