If it wouldn’t be taken the wrong way I’d dub Kelly Mason the Brittany Spears of the wine world, because oops she did it again; but there really is no “oops” about it, she has quite simply nailed making Honsberger Cabernet Franc again and again and again. The ’18 follows a great track record of delightful Francs of the past: black cherry, smoke, herbaceous, tobacco and floral all play a part from the nose to the palate – plus notes of cigar box, black currant and spice show up on the finish – the only negative was the subtle tomato leaf aromas, but they blew off pretty quickly. Leaving us with a silky, dark fruited, subtly spiced wine that quite simply screams Cabernet Franc.  Price: $32.00 – Rating: ****+