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Pondera Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $28
This small-production winery in Woodinville, Wash., launched with the 2005 vintage, and winemaker Shane Howard has produced one superb wine after another. For this delicious Cabernet Franc, he turned to Dineen Vineyards in the Rattlesnake Hills, adding 5% Merlot into the final blend. It opens with alluring aromas of boysenberry, mint, cedar, black tea and fresh-from-the-oven brownies. On the palate, it opens with a delicious entry of dark fruit, giving way to mouth-filling notes of black cherries, black berries and black currants, along with dark chocolate. While it is not shy on alcohol, this wine can carry the load, and the bright acidity lifts the fruit above the modest oak treatment.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 84 cases
Alcohol: 14.6%
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