Cabernet Franc

Name of varietal: Cabernet Franc

Common synonyms: breton, bouchy, bidure, bouchet, cabernet franco, capbreton rouge, kaberne frank, noir dur
 
Parentage of the grape: it’s a chicken or egg scenario. Cab Franc has been determined as one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon (the other is Sauvignon Blanc). 
 
History of the grape: References to it in the Loire region of France date as far back as the mid 12th century. But its historic moment came In the 17th century when Cardinal Richelieu selected it for the garden of Abbaye de St. Nicolas de Bourgeuil, where it was attended by an abbot named Breton (hence the local synonym). Plantings spread into Bordeaux in the 18th century, where it met its life partner Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon came into existence. It is now mostly used as a blending grape there. However in the Loire and Southwest France, it is still vinified as a varietal wine in the likes of Bourgeuil, Chinon, Tauraine, Saumur, Anjou and the few reds of Read more »

Mentor for Cabernet Franc Wines

Wisequeen Donna Jackson

Passionate wine enthusiast/writer/consultant.Specialist on Italy, where She has made her home and kingdom for the past decade. Travels extensively in Europe and New world,Portugal,Douro, South Africa,and in particular Bordeaux style wines, loves Dolcetto

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Popular Cabernet Franc wines

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Popular Regions for Cabernet Franc View all

  • France

    Perhaps no country evokes such strong associations with fine wine as does France. Its reputatio...

  • Bordeaux

    Located around the Gironde estuary and along the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, Bordeaux is one o...

  • Sonoma County

      Wine-making in Sonoma, California began in 1812 when Russian colonists planted grapes at F...

  • Chinon

    Chinon Chinon is the most important red-wine appellation in the Touraine part of the Loire...

  • Italy

    Wine in Italy is as much an integral part of everyday culture as love, family, cuisine and usin...

  • Canada

      Canada’s wine-making history is relatively short. Beginning in the early 1800s, some of th...

  • Loire

      The Loire River valley is a massively varied viticultural region in northwestern France. I...

  • Napa

      There is some debate over how this famous wine region got its name. Spanish settlers named...

  • USA

    "American Wine" has existed since the first Europeans brought their vinous heritage and tradition...

Popular Wineries using Cabernet Franc

  • Château Timberlay

    Château Timberlay (appellation Bordeaux Supérieur) is located in Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac. It symbol...

  • Champagne Demoiselle Vranken

    Built on the hamlet of Les Demoiselles, the Château des Castaignes produces the DEMOISELLE vintag...

  • Arrogant Frog

    Arrogant Frog was born in the Herault Valley in Languedoc in the south of France, near the Medite...

  • Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes

    Patience, know-how, observation, intuition...these are the skills required to make and age our wi...

  • Château Paul Mas

    For over 170 years, González Byass has committed itself to research and quality for its range of ...

  • Château Clarke

    The origins of the Château Clarke estate date back to the 12th century when the Cistercian monks ...

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Cabernet Franc on Snooth

  • Chateau Laronde Aoc Bordeaux . France Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc 2007

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by nvaziri5


  • Thanks for the update, NG.  Too bad about your downer experience at Clos ... had a great score on that Cabernet Franc.  I pointed my nephew and his sweetheart to VA last February and they did mention that the lab (whose name I just cannot remember) had passed.  They then went over to Keenan and played with the yellow lab, there.  They did brin... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Impromptu Napa trip... Where...


  • Gamache Vintners Red Blend Columbia Valley Boulder Red 2010

    Snoothrank:

    A nice blend of Cabernet Franc, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. This dark colored ruby winner is heavy on spice, toasted oak, vanilla and substantial tannins with a nice coating in the mouth of deep cherry, raspberry and cassis. This for the price is a sure winner Read More

    Wine review by jamessulis


  • So I am going to Napa tomorrow for a few days.  I have some prearranged plans that cannot be changed, but have some limited  time for tasting.As "napagirl", I should already know exactly where to go.  The problem is, I get stuck into that rut of going to the ones I like, the old faves, over and over.  I would love to hear your recommendations an... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Impromptu Napa trip... Where... by 87843napagirl68 87843 napagirl68


  • Sawtooth Winery Skyline Red 2006

    Snoothrank:

    The wine itself is a nice ruby color in the glass and the nose has some sweet, tangy notes, along with some leather, smoke and green herb aromas. The taste is modestly fruit forward, with some flavors of ripe plum and blueberry that transitions to some smoky, woody flavors midpalate. The finish is very dry, with some flavors of limestone as th... Read More

    Wine review by jtryka


  • Columbia Crest Grand Estates Amitage Red Blend Washington 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Fairly deep in color, really nice cocoa nose with plum and spice; soft tannin and a sweet fruit impression. Moderate extract. A very enjoyable wine at a great price. My rating --90. Read More

    Wine review by Zuiko


  • Chateau Senejac Haut Medoc 2008

    Snoothrank:

    I bought this bottle of wine from the website ... sauvignon,37% merlot,11% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.,and spends 18 months in oak barrels.I started my bottle at the weekend with a meal of pork chops and I enjoyed it.My overiding impresion is of fresh blackcurrant and licorice style fruit. and mellow tanins.It is a lovely wine and I am ... Read More

    Wine review by duncan 906


  • St. Supery Elu Napa 2005

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by sgarcia61


  • Lazy Bones Paso Robles Cabernet Franc 2011

    Snoothrank:

    The wine has some black cherry on the nose, with smoky plum and black pepper flavors, a decent mouthfeel, and a plush finish. Read More

    Wine review by Kovas 50 States Of Wine


  • Lang and Reed North Coast Cabernet Franc 2008

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by 1073394RandyFisher 1073394 RandyFisher


  • This is the cab franc I love best so far... http://stoneflyvineyards.windsorvineyards.coresense.com/index/page/static/subpage/about_cabFranc

    Comment by 87843napagirl68 87843 napagirl68


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