Swirl, Sniff, Sip: 2016 d'Orsaria Cabernet Franc

Blessings on blessings this beautiful Saturday, friends! I’m committed to giving y’all the best that I’ve got, so here is the first of many wine reviews in a series I like to call Swirl, Sniff, Sip.

I’m often asked which red wine is my favorite, and usually my go-to is always an Argentine Malbec. But on a beautiful sunny day like this, I’m in the mood for something not as heavy, but still has a tannic structure and juiciness that I can rock with.

For your sipping pleasure, enjoy this 2016 d’Orsaria Cabernet Franc.

The parent grape of the beloved Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is the OTHER Cab that they don’t tell you too much about. Unlike its offspring, Cab Franc is a savory, medium bodied red wine with high acidity and smooth tannic structure. This bottle in particular hails from the Friuli-Venezia Guilia region of Italy that is known for more than a dozen grape varieties. And as the second most popular red variety in the region, Cabernet Franc usually has a dark violet color, with flavors of cranberry, roasted pepper and chili pepper.

Peep my tasting notes:

On the nose: red fruit like raspberry and strawberry; bell pepper and sweat socks

On the palate: this one is BURSTING with bright red fruit like plum, strawberry and cranberry. The taste of pepper sticks out here, but in a sweet and subtle way. The acidity is definitely there, and it has a light to medium tannin structure that doesn't completely dry out your taste buds.

On the wallet: At $14 and 12.5% alcohol, this is a winner to me. I can see this paired with some baked chicken thighs or grilled steak with veggies if you’re feeling fancy.

Have you ever sipped on Cabernet Franc? Let me know in the comments below, leave a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet.

Cheers!