Colter’s Creek Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc, Lewis-Clark Valley, $28

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Spokane native Melissa Sanborn learned winemaking at Washington State University, and she and grape-growing husband Mike Pearson are helping to raise the profile of the historic Lewis-Clark Valley through their Colter’s Creek project. Pearson pulled off the Cab Franc on the day before Halloween, and Sanborn took her time with the lot, aging it in French oak for 18 months prior to a year of bottle aging. Classic Cab Franc notes of crushed leaf, earthiness and cherry are joined by milk chocolate, coffee and earthiness. Its rewarding tannin structure and juicy acidity bode well for wild game, meaty sandwiches or vegetable-driven soup.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 235 cases

Alcohol: 14.2%

Winery website

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