I’m noticing these days that winery’s are taking a chance and experimenting with Cabernet Franc, like they’ve been experimenting with Gamay (regular readers of my newsletter know Gamay is usually light and fruity, but I have been applauding the wineries that are making more full bodied ageworthy version out of this grape). Cabernet Franc is typically a medium to full bodied wine, with good firm tannins in its youth, allowing it to age for a number of years. This is usually achieved through oak aging and skin contact during fermentation; but I’m now starting to notice a high number of delightful unoaked, or lightly oaked, fruity, playful Francs hitting the market. This Muscedere version is no exception. What we have here is one of the first wines from one of Lake Erie North Shores’ newest wineries – and it is a decent first effort to say the least. Muscedere makes two styles of Cabernet Franc: oaked and unoaked. This is the unoaked and unfiltered version. A muted nose, which contains hints of cloves and oregano along with some raspberry, blackberry and cassis. In the mouth it’s a smooth, light, and quaffable affair – a full fruit bowl of yummy temptations including cherries, raspberries, currants, blackberries with some white pepper seasoning. All without the harsh tannins, and no vegetal green pepper notes to speak of. It really is a delightful fruity number that’s easy drinking and smooth as silk. I would say this is the drink-now of the two Cab Francs.