One of the things that surprised me during my month of drinking only Virginia wines is the constant enjoyment from the various bottles of Cabernet Franc.  When I read about Virginia wines, I rarely see mention of the grape, and very few of the Virginia wine bloggers focus on how the grape thrives in the Commonwealth.  However, Cabernet Francs or Cabernet Franc dominated blends are consistently the Virginia red wine that I love.  I’m beginning to think that Cabernet Franc might be the Virginia grape, in the same way that Pinot Noir is associated with Oregon or Zinfandel is  associated with California. It will take some more tasting to finalize my solidify my affair with Virginia Cabernet Franc, but I’m quite possibly falling in love

The 2008 Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc (winery) was a medium-to-dark ruby.  On the nose, there were raspberries, cherries, cinnamon, cedar, and a touch of tobacco.  In the mouth, there were raspberries, cherries, and a hint of cinnamon, chocolate dust, and tobacco.  The win had a medium body, light-to-medium tannins, and good acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely!  If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $20, this wine requires a little bit of patience, but if you’re willing to wait for it, the wine will not disappoint.  It could have used a little more body, but once it had a chance to breathe, this Cabernet Franc was exactly what I was looking for.  I paired it with stuffed baked potatoes for dinner, which made for a nice, hearty combination, and then continued to enjoy the wine on its own once dinner was over.

Price: $20
Purchased at: Harris Teeter
Overall: 3.5 corks