Chinook 2005 Cabernet Franc (Yakima Valley) – Blackberry with a little bit of charcoal-derived char, lightly-buttered toast, and ripe, smooth yet fairly grippy tannin. The wine’s not far off the usual New World norm, but the switch from cabernet sauvignon/merlot to cabernet franc gives it a little more character than usual, and lightens the wine a bit (though the wine’s certainly not “light” by any normal conception of the word). This might be promising, though right now it’s decent but uninspiring. I’d need more experience with the wine to say more. (9/07)