Even more medicinal in personality than its 2009 counterpart and dominated by green herbal extracts, the Spring Valley 2008 Cabernet Franc Katherine Corkrum is redolent of distilled blue and black fruits, mint and nut oils. While admirably juicy, it's also more astringent than that 2009, and its bitter elements reinforce that tannic effect in its undeniably gripping finish. I would plan to drink this over the next couple of years. Now part of the Ste. Michelle galaxy, and named for an area 12 miles north of Walla Walla, Spring Valley Vineyard was first planted in 1993-95 by a local wheat-farming family and the first wines were bottled under its label in 1999. Following the early death of owner-winemaker Devin Corkrum Derby in 2004, his French friend and assistant at the time, Serge Laville, stepped into that role, which he retained when the brand (though not the Corkrum family vineyards) were sold to Ste. Michelle. Each varietally-labeled, estate-grown Spring Valley wine is 100% from its labeled variety, and each of the winery's bottlings is associated with - as well as adorned by an antique photograph of - one or more of the vineyard owners- ancestors. Tel. (509) 337-6915