Taste: Spirits: What to Drink: Trinchero Napa Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005

Cabernet franc may be lesser known than its famous cousin cabernet sauvignon, but it’s a noble in its own right

Cabernet franc may be lesser known than its famous cousin cabernet sauvignon, but it’s a noble grape in its own right. As one of the components of classic French bordeaux, it provides aromatics and finesse to some of the world’s most revered wines.  In California, it goes into super-premium blends known as “meritage wines.” But since it’s rarely bottled alone, few wine drinkers have discovered its charms. This delightful single-vineyard bottling from Trinchero in Napa Valley provides a perfect opportunity at one heck of a tempting price. With its striking woodsy aromas of herbs and dried flowers, this grape makes medium-bodied wines that are particularly apt for Mediterranean foods made with olives, tomatoes or roasted peppers.