Michael David "Inkblot" Cabernet Franc 2019

(Lodi, CA) $30

In a big blind tasting of Cabernet Francs we did a month ago, this was a surprise hit—especially since Michael David winery’s Inkblot costs about one-fifth of many of the other wines that came out on top. It’s also from Lodi, a Central Valley appellation where land prices are a fraction of those in Napa and Sonoma. Inkblot is the sleek, beautifully-balanced side of Cabernet Franc—long swaths of juicy blueberry fruit and a bright violety arc of flavor. It’s also very fresh-tasting, as if you were tasting the morning air in a meadow. Owners Michael and David Phillips are 5^th generation grape growers in a family that’s been farming in Lodi since the 1860s. They make a slew of wines from all sorts of memorably-named brands including Earthquake and Freak Show. The brothers say they don’t take themselves too seriously, but this is a seriously good Franc. (14.5% abv)

93 points KM

Available at Michael David Winery