December 4th is Worldwide Cabernet Franc Day, honouring one of many wine world’s most essential, but usually understated, crimson grape varieties.
Though incessantly discovered within the shadows of the extra widespread Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has an equally large, if not greater, function to play on the earth of viticulture.
Along with parenting Cabernet Sauvignon (along with Sauvignon Blanc), Cabernet Franc can be a mum or dad selection to Merlot and Carménère.
The grape finds its origins in Bordeaux, the place it’s rising in cultivation at the moment. Whereas Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are inclined to dominate the blends right here, Cabernet Franc is a frequent second fiddle in each Left Financial institution and Proper Financial institution blends.
Outdoors of Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is likely one of the fundamental gamers within the Loire Valley, the place it’s usually bottled as a monovarietal wine. Right here, the grape tends to create mild to medium-bodied wines laden with flavours of crimson fruit, inexperienced bell pepper, and earth.
Past France, Cabernet Franc is discovering vital footing in the USA (California, Washington, and New York’s Finger Lakes and Lengthy Island areas), in addition to in Argentina, Australia, and northern Italy.
On the vine, Cabernet Franc boasts skinny, bluish-black skins and is earlier ripening than Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape thrives in cooler climates; when grown in chillier areas, Cabernet Franc-based wines may have lighter our bodies and earthier / greener notes, whereas wines produced in hotter areas will present jammier, extra fruit-driven flavours. Wines produced from Cabernet Franc usually present notes of raspberry, crimson currants, forest ground, black pepper, inexperienced bell pepper, and earth. Acidity is mostly medium to excessive and tannins are current but approachable.
When produced by the hands of nice winemakers, well-made expressions of Cabernet Franc can stand up to a long time within the cellar. For ageworthy expressions of Cabernet Franc, trying to legendary producers from Saumur, Chinon, and Saumur-Champigny is a superb place to begin.
Here’s a number of the most effective performing Cabernet Franc wines from all over the world at this 12 months’s Decanter World Wine Awards to higher perceive what this grape is all about.
Argentina
Pacheco Pereda, Estirpe Natural Fairtrade, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2021
Worth Finest in Present, 97 factors
The looks of two completely different Cabernet Franc wines in our Finest in Present choice this 12 months underscores the seriousness with which this selection is now being regarded away from its Bordeaux and Loire Valley heartlands. This Worth Finest In Present model from Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo delivers, as you’d count on, extravagant fruit pleasure. It’s darkish black-red in color, with heat, sweetly pippy scents effervescent from the glass. Within the mouth, it’s a clean flood of sentimental, vibrant raspberry and damson fruits which, regardless of the gentleness of each its acidity and its tannins, nonetheless contrives to present the drinker a way of texture, amplitude — and satisfaction. A way of gravity, too, lifts these fruit flavours effectively away from simplicity: one other Franc hallmark? You resolve. Alc 14%
El Enemigo, Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc, El Cepillo, San Carlos, Mendoza 2018
Platinum, 97 factors
Fairly and welcoming on the nostril with attractive aromas of floral violet, cassis and accomplished with a lifted, delicate liquorice word. The palate is graced with deep herb, pepper, crunchy crimson fruit and swish, silky tannins. Alc 14%
Los Helechos, Designado Cabernet Franc, Vista Flores, Tunuyán, Mendoza 2019
Platinum, 97 factors
Lifted, floral and shiny, with very fairly aromatics of heady violet, inexperienced pepper and balsamic, then on to an opulent palate textured with crunchy crimson fruit, elegant tart fruit, succulent tannins and polished, centered swish tannins. Alc 14.4%
Austria
Seegut Lentsch, Reserve, Burgenland 2019
Silver, 94 factors
Spicy nostril with grassy notes and juicy crimson fruit aromas, hints of delicate oak. Full physique with dense tannins, harmonious. Alc 14%
Bulgaria
Bononia Property, Istar, PGI Danube Plain, Northern Area – Danubian Plain 2020
Silver, 92 factors
Refined and chic nostril with notes of cherry and capsicum inexperienced pepper. Multi-dimensional black and blue fruits, black tea, and spring blossoms. Alc 14.5%
Canada
Cedarcreek Property Vineyard, Platinum Haynes Creek, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia 2019
Gold, 96 factors
Silky and welcoming on the nostril, with concentrated damson, mild cedar and a stupendous floral carry, then on to a rounded, lush palate of roasted crimson capsicum, crimson cherry and swish, silky tannins. Energy and sophistication. Alc 13.5%
Chile
Santa Rita, Floresta, Pumanque, Colchagua 2020
Gold, 95 factors
A vibrant, vertical, and fluid fashion, with plenty of pressure: an impressive Cabernet Franc! Participating, and correctly varietal with inexperienced and crimson pepper aromas, crunchy plum, damson, and dusted chocolate. Pure, with actually wonderful tannins and a beautiful juicy darkberry acidity. Alc 14%
Croatia
Trs, Premium Choice, Hrvatsko Podunavlje, Continental 2017
Silver, 93 factors
Excellent focus of beneficiant darkish fruit, a tangle of earth, spring blossom, espresso tobacco, perfumed lavender, and violet carry. Stunning wine! Alc 14.7%
France
Château de Chaintres, Vieilles Vignes, Saumur-Champigny, Loire 2019
Gold, 95 factors
Dense, black fruit aromas with violet hints result in an opulent, textured palate displaying ripe fruit and velvety tannins. Lengthy and agency on the again. Alc 14%
Clos Des Cordeliers, Cuvée Status, Saumur-Champigny, Loire 2017
Gold, 95 factors
Positive and chic with evolving bramble, crimson cherry and pencil lead aromas. Great focus on the palate with ripe, built-in tannins and a finessed end. Alc 13%
Hungary
Sauska, Siklós, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2017
Silver, 92 factors
Pushed by oak however displaying critical focus. Spicy and savoury with very polished low-key tannins surrounding the dried fruits, vanilla, and chocolate. Alc 14.5%
Italy
Castelvecchio, Cabernet Franc, Carso, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2019
Silver, 93 factors
A easy, pure and scrumptious wine with juicy blackberry, plum, mint and blackcurrant aromatics, mild, grippy tannins and a average end. Alc 13%
Kazakhstan
Arba Wine, Kyzyl Reserve, Assa Valley, Almaty 2014
Silver, 92 factors
Perfumed nostril, with beautiful floral notes, mint and spice; palate of lush darkish fruit and delicate, silky tannins. Alc 13.5%
South Africa
KWV, The Mentors, Stellenbosch 2019
Finest in Present, 97 factors
These searching for out reds primarily based on Cabernet Franc past their French dwelling are, usually sufficient, searching for a crimson wine which mixes one thing of the construction and command of Cabernet Sauvignon however with extra carry, grace and fragrant refinement. The crimson wine from this 12 months’s brace of South African Finest In Present winners fills that function admirably. It’s darkish in color, with refined, advanced, raspberry and root-spice aromas in delicate and uninsistent fashion. Look out for shiny, pure raspberry fruits on the palate with an extra twist of liquorice and gentian. The construction comes extra from the wine’s quiet, limpid acidity than from any notable tannin presence, additional unscoring that accessibility and responsiveness. Alc 14.5%
Ukraine
Chateau Chizay, Zakarpattia 2018
Silver, 92 factors
Inviting, fairly nostril of plush cassis and tobacco, whereas the palate is laced with raspberry, tomato leaf, blackberry and spice. Alc 14%
Uruguay
Bodega Garzón, Reserva 2020
Silver, 91 factors
Restrained and chic nostril of recent fruit, whereas the palate has supple tannins and a beautiful smoky end. Alc 14%
USA
Clos du Val Property, Stags Leap District, California 2019
Platinum, 97 factors
Nostril of darkish, wealthy, juicy cassis and plum with beautiful floral leafiness, hedgerow fruits, dried herbs and a touch of umami. Nice concentrated fruit ripeness on the palate, with a agency, grippy tannic construction. Lengthy, crunchy end with ripe redcurrant and fleshy crimson fruit. Nonetheless has a solution to go. Alc 14.4%
