Le Monde Cab Franc

Le Monde Cab Franc is a Cabernet Franc from Massachusetts, bottled under the Esplanda label. Cabernet Franc is a red grape, and cool-climate New England plantings tend to produce a lighter, more savory wine than warm-region examples. Expect red currant, raspberry and cranberry fruit, with the pencil shaving, dried herb and green-leaf notes the variety is known for. A little crushed pepper often shows up too. The body is typically light to medium, with fine-grained tannin and fresh, lifted acidity. A short rest in oak, if any, would show as faint cedar or spice, but this is not a style that usually leans on heavy wood. Check the bottle for the vintage and alcohol level, since this description does not state them. That acidity and herbal edge make Cabernet Franc useful at the table. It suits roast chicken with thyme, pork loin, herbed lamb, mushroom dishes and tomato-based pastas, where the wine's brightness matches the sauce. Grilled sausages, lentils and soft cheeses such as goat cheese or Brie also work. Very spicy food and heavily sweet barbecue glazes tend to flatten the fruit, so keep those away from this bottle. Serve it slightly cool, around 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). A short stretch in the refrigerator, about 20 minutes before opening, brings a room-temperature bottle into range. Light-bodied Cabernet Franc rarely needs formal decanting. Pouring it into a decanter or simply opening it 15 to 30 minutes ahead softens any initial tightness and lets the herbal aromas open. Use a medium-sized red wine glass with a gently tapered rim, which concentrates the red fruit and leafy aromatics without exaggerating the alcohol. Wines from this region and in this style are generally made for drinking within a few years of release, not for long cellaring. Plan to open it soon, and store it on its side in a cool, dark spot away from heat until then.