2013 Michael David Inkblot Cabernet Franc

Michael David Winery was founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips, who are fifth generation grape growers in Lodi. Today younger generations also help run the family operation along with the brothers. Derek DeVries is winemaker. The winery makes several labels, a couple of them fanciful in spirit. The various wine groups include Freakshow, Seven Deadly, Earthquake, Inkblot and the eponymous Michael David label. The estate makes primarily red wine, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

This is a parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon. It most likely originates from Basque country. It is an excellent blending grape, known for making the exquisite Cheval-Blanc. Franc is a little hardier on a vine than Sauvignon, but drinks smoothly at the table.