When I first began working at Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, I was a Cabernet Franc fanatic. Joguet, Baudry, Breton, Chanteleuserie —all my heroes were here, and I felt like one of Odin’s warriors at the long table in Valhalla, drinking nightly from a bottomless cauldron of Cabernet Franc. I’m ashamed to say, though, that after a while my palate began to stray: Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Piedmont called.
      Fast-forward to the other night. We were at home having BLTs, and while the juicy red from one of our Languedoc producers was lovely, I found myself yearning for the subtle bite of a good Cab Franc. I spent the rest of the evening thinking about the quaffability of Chanteleuserie, the structure of Joguet, the finesse of Baudry, the juicy funk of Breton, and wishing I had a glass of each! 
      Good Cabernet Franc has an autumnal quality, like wet leaves on the ground mixed with a bit of wood smoke, so with fall in full swing, here's a glorious case of Cabernet Franc. These selections are substantial enough to lend weight to heartier menus, yet still light enough to be refreshing. If you need wine for Thanksgiving, this sampler has something for everybody—from the silky Bourgeuils of Catherine & Pierre Breton to deep Joguet single-vineyard Chinons. And if you're already a Cabernet Franc aficionado, well, you'll be in Valhalla no matter what cork you pull.