At and in-store tasting today:
2017 Andrew Will Cabernet Franc Yakima Valley WA
All Two Blondes vineyard fruit. This is a really lovely Cabernet Franc, almost delicate on the palate with Joguet-like complexity. Don't often taste American cab francs that could pass for Loire, but this is one.
2018 Fabre Montmayou Cabernet Franc Reserva Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
Full-bodied, serious fruit, grippy tannins, big finish. Surprisingly good and fabulous QPR at $15.
2016 Writer's Block Cabernet Franc Lake County CA
Has plenty of dark red fruit, but there's a woody, cedar-y note in this wine's aroma that polarized the crowd, and something on the finish that reminded Bob and I of mimeograph ink. Not appealing.
2017 Savage Grace Wines Cabernet Franc Copeland Vineyard Rattlesnake Hills WA
Usually a fan of this winemaker and used to the fact that his wines always need a year or so in bottle to knit together, but this lightly cloudy wine just didn't taste finished.
2018 Domaine de Noiré Chinon Soif de Tendresse Cabernet Franc
Liked this a lot. Unoaked, lots of flavor. Medium bodied, sweet and spicy. Terrific value. $20 locally.
2018 Domaine Filliatreau Saumur Château Fouquet Cabernet Franc
Vegetal and mildly bubble gummy on the nose, like you get from carbonic maceration. Popular with others; offputting to me. Did not like.