Cozying Up to a Great Library Find

A library is filled with history, secrets and adventure. You don't quite know the emotions that a great library treasure will bring you until you open it. My library find was not a book but an amazing bottle of wine.

There is nothing better equipped for an evening of R&R than a sumptuous red wine from deep in the cellar of Raphael. After the busy pace of the day and the late hour that we called it quits on landscaping the yard, it would take nothing less than a glass of a rich wine to truly make the work worthwhile.

Cabernet Franc. It is a grape varietal that is quickly moving to the top of my favorites list. The bottle I had the opportunity to taste is Raphael's 2001 Cabernet Franc. It had an earthy nose with hints of dark fruit. The texture was rich with jammy flavors and a peppery finish.

I had a limited time to come up with a dinner idea and did not want to miss out on an interesting pairing with the 2001 Cabernet Franc. I made spicy Italian sausage and three cheese pierogies. The Cabernet Franc was incredibly food friendly and worked with the bold flavors of the meal.

This is a wine that I would absolutely recommend to all wine lovers, and will be sure to announce when it will be released in an upcoming library tasting and sale at Raphael.

Library wines tell a story just as old books do. I would hope that all of you have the chance to experience the taste of an aged cellar wine for yourselves. There is nothing else like it.