You've gotta love a good bottle of Cabernet Franc

Recently, I was sent a bottle of wine under the strictest secrecy. I was told that this wine wouldn’t be released for a few weeks, and then only to the wine club members to start. So naturally, I forgot about the wine, it sat on my desk, waiting to be tasted all through the holidays, until I was reminded by the winery if I had tasted it yet. I put it in the queue and was glad I did.

The wine? The Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2010 Cabernet Franc from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.

Damn good, and let me tell you why.

Cab Franc when not quite ripe enough, gets this weedy, dilly character that I just don’t love. You are reminded why it’s always the bridesmaid and never the bride in Bordeaux. In cool years, its forgettable plonk, but in good years it gets spicy, and dare I say…elegant?

 I reviewed the wine for Wine Access Magazine and my take went like this

"This is the inaugural release of the Oldfield Series cabernet franc keep in mind its “Oldfield” not “Oilfield”.  Overall its spicy, clean, and aromatic with herb, and a bit of jam and chocolate but no grassy or green edges marring its presentation. One year of oak and a further 9 months of bottle aging take off some of the rough edges, not quite getting rid of some drying tannin and alcohol heat, but elegant and true to the varietal. Grows on you, but would really sing with some juicy burgers or stews and perhaps a couple years of cellaring. I’d decant this with an aerator or similar device and plow through a bottle at a barbecue this summer with friends.

Still only available at the winery (and the wine club), I’ll bet you could get your hands on some from out of province if you tried."

 375 Cases made, and about $35 at the winery.

(★★★★) Highly Recommended