Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Francis a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
A cross of it with Sauvignon Blanc resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Many of the red wines of the Loire are primarily Cabernet Franc.
Origins
- Bordeaux region.
- Parent (with Sauvignon Blanc) of Cabernet Sauvignon
- Was known as Bouchet in Bordeaux, or Breton in the Loire
- Introduced to Loire by 18thC
Characteristics
- Ripens early, so useful in cooler climates
- In comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon: more perfumed; less structured; can be more herbaceous/stalky - not that pleasant!; aromas of pencil shavings/lead pencil, also violets
Vinification / Maturation
- Vinification can vary. In the Loire can be made as charming, unoaked, fruity wine to be drunk the summer after the vintage; or more serious wine for ageing on the Bordeaux model.
Homelands
…within France
- The Libournais = right bank in Bordeaux: St. Emilion and Pomerol. Ripens well in slightly cooler zone. Blend ingredient: 15-25% left bank; 25-35% right bank. Summit: Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion (2/3 CF, 1/3 M)
- The Loire: Anjou-Saumur along the Loire and Vienne rivers - AOCs of Chinon, Bourgeuil, and St. Nicolas de Bourgeuil
Also to be found in…
- S.W. France
- Odd pockets in California, South Africa, New Zealand - rarely made as 100% varietal
Our Cabernet Franc Wines…
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Frédéric Borderie’s principal wine, 65% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeGRC218
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2018
Medium Bodied
60% Merlot with 20% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc; on gravelly soils over a...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVID118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Frédéric Borderie's principal wine, 65% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15%...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2016
Medium Bodied
85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, handled by top consultant Stéphane...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEA116
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Chamonix, Cabernet Franc, Franschhoek, 2018
Medium Bodied
New winemaker Niel Bruwer has upped the game at Chamonix: this is brilliant. Fabulous floral...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionFranschhoek
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCHX518
GrapeCabernet Franc
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Vieux Chantecaille, Saint-Emilion 2018
Full Bodied
80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, into 50% new oak. Mickael Moze-Berthon has only 1¼ hectares...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeVCH118
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
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A lively and pure rosé from the south-west, from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc....
OriginFrance
RegionSouth-West
ColourRosé
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodeSAL520
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
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Chateau Piconat, Bordeaux, 2019
Medium Bodied
Not just a very pretty (pinkish) traditional label. Appealing strawberry and blackberry core,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePIC119
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Chateau Les Pelerins, Pomerol, 2014
Full Bodied
Named as on an old pilgrim route, Pelerins, owned by Josette et Nobert Egreteau, is a tiny 3.5...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEL114
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAZ118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Domaine des Forges, Anjou Rouge, 2020
Medium Bodied
Pure Cabernet Franc, unoaked – we enjoy this crisp and raspberryish wine for its honest,...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR120
GrapeCabernet Franc
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Domaine des Forges, Anjou-Villages, Les Trois C, 2019
Medium Bodied
From 70% Cabernet Franc with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on clay and sand over schist.;...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR319
GrapeCabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
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Unoaked, enticingly dramatic purple, with a perfume made up of berries and roses, this is...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeGUL318
GrapeCabernet Franc
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Guilloterie, Saumur-Champigny, Les Loges, 2018
Medium Bodied
"Very deep crimson. Fragrant with good fruit and acidity. Soft and smooth – no great...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeGUL418
GrapeCabernet Franc
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Vriesenhof, Kallista, Stellenbosch, 2016
Full Bodied
A beautiful Bordeaux blend given ageing in plenty of new barrels, 40% Cabernet Franc, 35%...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCeres
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVRI416
GrapeCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Chateau Barrejat, Madiran, Tradition, 2018
Medium Body
"Deep purple. Smooth, sweet fruit with more lift and less tannin (despite Tannat's...
OriginFrance
RegionMadiran
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBAJ118
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2016
Medium Bodied
The Melet family has owned Château Beauséjour in Fronsac for five generations. Since 2011,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeBEA915
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Wonderfuly ripe - so rich, lush and supple. A sense of liqueur cherries - luxuriant fruit...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle150cl
CodeVID916
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Château Rocher Gardat, Montagne Saint-Emilion, 2016
Medium Bodied
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, grown on thinly-soiled, argilo-calcaire slopes, into 30% new...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeROG116
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
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MAGNUM Vieux Chantecaille, Saint-Emilion 2015
Full Bodied
80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, into 50% new oak. Mickael Moze-Berthon has only 1º hectares...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle150cl
CodeVCH915
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Franc
