Los Vascos, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Cabernet Franc 2020

 My clear sense is that the “Lafite” side of the Rothschild family took a long time to really get its footing and start making excellent wine in Chile (despite a very early start), but this “Cromas” line offers further evidence that the team is really dialing things in.  This Cab Franc is just herbal enough to keep the grape in mind, and with a little touch of cedar and eucalyptus to keep Chile in the picture, but there’s also gorgeously pure fruit that makes this an exceptionally successful “New World” rendition of the variety.  Medium-bodied (thank you — good call — all too easy to thicken this up and lose connection with the variety) and very nicely ripened and modestly oaked, this is just flat-out delicious.  Sip after sip, it never shows a slip.