Chappellet, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Franc 2018

 The delightful aromas of black cherry and blackberry fruit laced with wood spices and floral notes made it difficult for me to lift my nose out of the glass when evaluating this wine.  In the mouth, flavors of black cherry, currant and plum mingle with dark chocolate and clove.  The sleek and rich texture is buoyed by zesty acidity and complemented by ripe, fine-grained tannins.  The 2018 vintage was bountiful, which meant that Vineyard Manager David Pirio and his crew spent a lot of time going through the vineyards dropping the excessive abundance of fruit to ensure the balance of this wine.  The first Cabernet Franc vines were planted in 1989, so it may be a bit late to the portfolio, but it is definitely a keeper.