2016 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Well today started out a little questionable, cloudy and in the 50s, but by the end it was in the mid-70s and sunny as all get out!  So that meant that I finally got some meaningful yard work done, pulling a wheelbarrow full of maple sprouts and weeds, I finally mowed (my yard was looking really unkempt), and then got out the trimmer and edged everything.  And now I'm ready for a glass of wine and a nice dinner!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc, a 100% Cabernet Franc from the XL Vineyard on the south side of the valley (I have become a huge fan of this vineyard and believe some of the best Cab Franc from Walla Walla is grown here!).  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from this varietal.  The nose is an elegant affair, with aromas of tart cherry, blackberry, oak, and a hint of green grass.  The taste is classic XL Cabernet Franc, with a rush of cool black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that ease into some dark chocolate and dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well structured, while a nice acidity makes itself known near the classically long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic example of what this lesser known varietal is capable of, and from one of my favorite vineyards.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from lamb chops to pork tenderloin, steak to hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' ribeye grilled rare and served with bacon roasted rainbow carrots and Yukon gold potatoes.  Cheers!