Tomatierra Cabernet Franc

Alicante is not where most people go looking for Cabernet Franc, which is exactly why this is amazing. It’s bright and refined rather than jammy, with red and blackcurrant fruit, a leafy herbal edge, and smooth, easy tannins that keep it elegant rather than heavy. There’s enough freshness and enough grip to make it work well with pâté, tomato-based pasta, or anything vaguely savoury and salty. 

Casa Balaguer sits in Alicante and seems to have built a following for doing things a little differently, which, frankly, is the appeal here. A Cabernet Franc from this part of Spain could easily be a gimmick. This doesn’t read that way. It sounds like a properly considered wine, organic, varietal, and a little off-centre in the best sense.