Fruit & Spice Cabernet Franc 2018

The name of this exclusive red (and its decadent-looking label) really says it all.

Fruit & Spice is everything that’s nice about Cabernet Franc, the noble Bordeaux grape that’s also flourishing under California’s sunny skies. It’s a variety that remains tucked well under the mainstream radar in the U.S., but it’s – rightfully – been popping up on trendy wine lists everywhere, thanks to its food-friendly nature and straight up deliciousness.

The mega-talented Doug Roosevelt is a big fan. Big enough that it’s taken him years of exploring California and tinkering in the winery to find his perfect Cab Franc “recipe.” But after a trip to a few secluded vineyards in Lodi (“one of the top wine regions in the country,” vinepair.com), he found just what he was looking for.

He turned the cache of his chosen fruit into a red that packs a punch of sumptuous, dark-berry flavors, spiked with warming baking spice notes and hints of mocha coffee. Yep – we’d say this is a delicious example of Lodi’s fantastic 2018 vintage. Clocking in at just over 15% abv, it’s stunningly smooth, too. Just the thing for fans of BIG reds.

Go on and try some – you can thank us (and Doug) later.