
Cabernet Franc Wine
Learn about Cabernet Franc — taste profile, popular regions and more …
The subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets, Cabernet Franc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. While both are important grapes in modern day, high quality Bordeaux, interestingly, Cabernet Franc most likely originated from the Basque region of France sometime during the middle 1600s. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine producing world, with some of its most classic examples from France’s Loire Valley, in the regions of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. Outside of France, Cabernet Franc performs quite well in parts of California, New York and Virginia. It is also a great blending grape.
Cabernet Franc Tasting Notes
Cabernet Franc is a dry red wine and typically tastes of red raspberry, strawberry and herb, with a stunning perfume of violets, tobacco and spice.
Cabernet Franc Food Pairings
Mouthwatering acidity makes Cabernet Franc an incredibly food-friendly wine, helping to cut through the richness of fatty meat dishes. It especially shines in tandem with lamb, and its affinity for the spice cabinet allows it to pair perfectly with Chinese dishes prepared with Szechuan pepper and five-spice.
Sommelier Secrets for Cabernet Franc
One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
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Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc 2019Cabernet Franc from Mendoza, Argentina
- RP
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El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard 2017Cabernet Franc from Mendoza, Argentina
- RP
- JS
- WE
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El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2018Cabernet Franc from Mendoza, Argentina
- V
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Catherine & Pierre Breton Trinch! 2020Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire, France
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Steele Writer's Block Cabernet Franc 2017Cabernet Franc from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Domaine Paul Buisse Chinon 2020Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Cosentino The Franc 2020Cabernet Franc from Lodi, California
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Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil Rouge Cuvee Alouettes 2020Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire, France
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Domaine Laroque Cite de Carcassonne Cabernet Franc 2019Cabernet Franc from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Raats Cabernet Franc 2017Cabernet Franc from South Africa
- RP
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Calcu Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2018Cabernet Franc from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- RP
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Familia Salton Intenso Cabernet Franc 2018Cabernet Franc from Brazil
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Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny Franc de Pied 2019Cabernet Franc from Saumur, Loire, France
- RP
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Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie 2017Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
- V
- RP
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Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil Cuvee Beauvais 2020Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire, France
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Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches 2019Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Botanica Wines Big Flower Cabernet Franc 2020Cabernet Franc from South Africa
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Zuccardi San Pablo Poligonos del Valle de Uco Cabernet Franc 2018Cabernet Franc from Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
- RP
- WE
- JS
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Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon Rouge Les Chiens-Chiens 2018Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
- V
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Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Franc 2020Cabernet Franc from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
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Titus Cabernet Franc 2019Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley, California
- V
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Duemani CiFRA Cabernet Franc 2019Cabernet Franc from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WW
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Brash Higgins Sommerville Vineyard FRNC Cabernet Franc 2020Cabernet Franc from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Henri Bourgeois Petit Bourgeois Cabernet Franc 2018Cabernet Franc from France
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Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvee Terroir 2019Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France