Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc might not be as influential as its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Still, the ancient varietal has a charming personality. Much more exclusive than more popular wine grapes, Cabernet Franc is not grown everywhere, but only where it reaches its full potential.
A reliable blending partner with other grapes and often bottled as a mono-varietal, Cabernet Franc is undoubtedly amongst the most respected wine grapes. Its best examples are collectibles that certainly have a place in every cellar. Here’s all you need to know about Cabernet Franc.
The History of the Cabernet Franc Grape Variety
Cabernet Franc is an ancient grape varietal, interestingly related to lesser-known grapes native to Spain’s northern coast, in the Basque Country. The grape found its way up north through France to reach its spiritual home in the Loire Valley somewhere in the 17th-century. Some sources state Cardinal Richelieu transported cuttings of the grape to the Abbey of Bourgeil, where the grape is still planted — locals call it Breton.
Perhaps Cabernet Franc is most famous for parenting the ubiquitous Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; the three often blended for complex, age-worthy red wines in Bordeaux.
Although Cabernet Franc remains a French specialty, it has found a way to wine regions globally, where it has been more than welcomed.
Wine Regions
Cabernet Franc Thrives in the Loire Valley, in the central subregions of Touraine and Anjou. The appellations of Chinon, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Anjou Villages, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas de Bourgeil make good use of the red grape.
In Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Cabernet Franc is often blended with Merlot for age-worthy red wines of cult status, particularly on the appellations of Pomerol, Saint-Émilion and satellite regions.
Lacking the instant charm that other red grapes enjoy, Cabernet Franc is not as widely planted abroad, but it’s still finding success in the United States, Italy and Argentina.
Wine Styles & Tasting Notes
Cabernet Franc has a sober, mature personality, and it’s not as fruit-forward as other popular grapes. The grape produces wines of textural beauty, often displaying red fruit aromas and a noticeable herbaceousness that makes it quite appealing.
On the palate, Cabernet Franc shows a vibrant acidity contrasted by often robust and rustic tannins — traits it shares with the blends where it plays a part.
Cabernet Franc can also be vinified as a young, approachable wine, and it’s sometimes used to make rosé. Still, its greatest expression is found in Bordeaux’s right bank, where it shares the fame with Merlot, and in the Loire Valley’s Touraine region, where its fame is uncontested.
Food Pairings
Producers can vinify Cabernet Franc as a young, refreshing wine, but it also can be pretty sturdy and structured. This gives the grape excellent versatility on the table. When younger, Cabernet Franc is fantastic with charcuterie, paté and terrines. It’s also compatible with goat cheese and other types of fresh cheese.
Cabernet Franc pairs nicely with red meat, mainly goat and lamb, especially when seasoned with aromatic herbs to mirror the wine’s herbal undertones. Slow roasted shoulder, feathered game and offal are compatible as well. It would help to know the character of the wine before choosing the food since Cabernet Franc can be more diverse than you think.
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Saumur: Domaine Aupy Clos d'AbbayeBright garnet colour, nose of sweet red fruit, chocolate and sweet spices. Round and structured on the palate, with fruit jelly and cinnamon notes.
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Bordeaux: Caprices D'Anais RoséA pressed rosé made from their best Cabernet Franc, harvested at perfect maturity.
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Anjou Villages: Domaine de la Piece aux MoinesDeep ruby colour with purple highlights, aromas of red and black fruits.
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Val de Loire: Domaine Moncourt Roche Noire Rose de LoireBright and crystalline raspberry colour. Aromas of grapefruit and blackcurrant.
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Bergerac: Château La Moulière RedRound with velvety tannins, which linger on the finish with hints of cherry stones.
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Fronton: Domaine Roumagnac Authentique RedThe colour is brilliant with ruby hues and purple hints. Intense expression with fresh gooseberry and blackcurrant delightfully accented by liquorice notes. The berries give way to spices and further liquorice, reinforcing the flavours and highlighting Négrette’s strength. A nice and bold first impression on the palate with well-balanced structure.
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Cabernet d'Anjou: Domaine de Sainte Anne Demi SecWith its rich and luminous colour and its notes of red berries, it is a soft temptation for food lovers.
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Saumur-Champigny: Domaine de la BessiereBright garnet colour, nose of sweet red fruit, chocolate and sweet spices. Round and structured on the palate, with fruit jelly and cinnamon notes.
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Saumur: Domaine Aupy La Butte RougeDeep ruby with purple highlights. Pronounced but elegant tannins, with aromas of red fruits, strawberries. Good persistence.
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Malepère: Chateau de Cointes Tradition RedRound and supple, not heavy as the tannins have blended and produced a very smooth wine to enjoy.
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Saumur-Champigny: Domaine Moncourt Roche NoireA nose of spices and red fruit with floral notes. Rich and mellow in the mouth, with a fresh and balanced finish.
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Bergerac: Château La Moulière Cuvée Prestige RedFull-bodied, supple and balanced with hints of prune and cherry.
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Malepère: Chateau de Cointes Marie Anne50% of Merlot completed with Cabernet Franc and Grenache Noir. Rich and intense with a liquorish finish.
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Bourgueil: Domaine des Ouches IgorandaRuby colour with intense nose of red fruits. Beautiful mature fruit taste, bodied, rich, with some pepper notes.
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Montagne-Saint-Emilion: Chateau La Couronne RedOwner Thomas Thiou produces this wonderful wine on one of the top terroirs in the appellation. Fruity, creamy, very well balanced. A must taste!
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Chinon: Domaine Charles Pain Cuvée PrestigeTannic structure from a long fermentation.
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Crémant de Bordeaux: Chateau de Bonhoste B de Bonhoste RoséDry sparkling Bordeaux, with a salmon tint. Lively, fresh and balanced with notes of currants and raspberries.
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Bordeaux Superieur: Chateau de Bonhoste Cuvee Bonheur100% Cabernet Franc, a perfect wine with a platter of charcuterie and cheese or even with red meat.
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Graves: Chateau Bousquet Prestige RedBeautiful aromas of black fruits and spices associated with fine woody notes. A large aromatic palette of cherry and blackberry.
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Malepère: Chateau de Cointes ClemenceIntense and complex nose, nice fleshy structure, long and well-balanced.
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Moulis-en-Médoc: Château Ruat Petit PoujeauxA complex and fruity nose, with blackfruits, and raspberry. An elegant structure with smooth tannins and a nice length.
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Lalande de Pomerol: Chateau MaltusBeautiful sustained deep purple colour. The bouquet is rich and generous; complex with notes of black fruits. On the palate is rounded with a powerful tannic evolution, showing a beautiful balance between fruit and oak from the French barrels.
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Lalande de Pomerol: Chateau Fleur de Jean Gue Reserve RedSweet cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of vanilla and spice from the use of oak.
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Pauillac: Les Chevaliers de DaupratProduced by Chateau Bellegrave from 8 hectares of vines in the lieu-dit Dauprat. The grapes are hand-picked and the wine ages for 12 months in oak barrels.
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Saint-Julien: Chateau du Glana La Croix DillangesGreat richness with mellow tannins and dark berry fruit.
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Malepère: Chateau de Cointes ToscaRobe of garnet, with an intense and complex nose of ripe fruit and compotes. Very nice fleshy structure, long with good balance and smooth tannins.
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Margaux: Zede de LabegorceRich and full bodied. Cedar and spice mixed with dark berries, it is beautifully balanced. The Cabernet Sauvignon adds a power and structure to this ‘cuvée’.
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Pomerol: Chateau Brun MazeyresAromas of plums and blackberries, sophisticated palate with smooth tannins and a long fresh finish.
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