Cabernet Franc Recommendations
My favorite red wine has always been Cabernet Franc. I find that it is delicious by itself and easy to pair with food. In relation to other grapes you’re probably more familiar with, I’d describe it as:
- Not as big and more balanced than a Cabernet Sauvignon
- Not as fruit-forward as a Merlot or Syrah, though still great fruit notes
- About as acidic as and just a smidge more tannic than a Pinot Noir
The details of what it tastes like, of course, depends on the bottle you have in front of you. Cabernet Franc is grown all over the world, most famously in the Loire Valley in France, and its level of ripeness is highly dependent upon how warm the growing region it came from is. If you prefer a riper, bolder red wine aim for warmer regions like California. If you prefer a more restrained red aim for cooler regions like the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. You’ll find that the versality of Cab Franc allows you to pair it with a wide variety of foods from a cheese and charcuterie board, to a pulled pork sandwich, even to a steak.
Perhaps the best thing about Cab Franc is that you can find incredible value, especially on restaurant wine lists. For whatever reason this grape has never gained a huge following in America, so it doesn’t sell for the same premium as a Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon … which is a good thing if you discover you like it as much as I do. You won’t necessarily find it by the glass (at least not as a solo grape) but there’s usually at least two to three bottles on any good wine list.
Note that wine lists are often organized by region instead of by grape. If this is the case head to the France section and look for the Chinon region. This is the most well-known Cab Franc region in the world, and for good reason. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bottle of Chinon I didn’t like.
Okay, enough with the lead in, you came here for recommendations and here they are.
Under $20
Chinon
Yep, I’m right back to Chinon. I’m leaving this general because your local store doesn’t necessarily have the same Chinon selection as my local store. Simply find the French section and look for the tiny portion carved out for Chinon. It’s likely not too far from the Bordeaux section (which often includes Cab Franc as one of the grapes in its wine blends). Then narrow in on the under $20 price point and see what label you like best. (I know you do this because I do it too, lol.) You can also ask a clerk for his or her recommendation.
$20 to $50
Keuka Lake Vineyards
Yes, we’re back to the Finger Lakes again. First, and most importantly, because they make delicious Cab Franc in the Finger Lakes. Second, because I love the Finger Lakes and don’t think enough people know about the region. Keuka Lake Vineyards produces a great Cabernet Franc (Winery Price: $22, Current Vintage: 2017) every year. Their Cab Franc is a lighter weight Cab Franc and is what I’d describe as restrained/subtle. It has a nice earthy character that is actually quite reminiscent of a good Red Burgundy. (And, yes, Red Burgundy is Pinot Noir, but this is still a good comparison to describe the light weight and earthy notes you’ll find in this Cab Franc.)
I recently enjoyed a 2010 and it was phenomenal after a decade. I still have a 2011, 2012 and 2013 in my collection, and I think I may save them all for a vertical tasting. It’s so fun to compare vintages side by side. Or at least, it’s very fun for me. If you haven’t done it, I encourage you to try it.
Hermann J Wiemer
Yep, still in the Finger Lakes. Wiemer is located on a different lake than Keuka Lake Vineyards (KLV) and the difference in the wine produced is readily apparent. The microclimate along their parcels on Seneca Lake softens the growing conditions and leads to a riper Cab Franc than KLV produces. Their Estate Cabernet Franc (Winery Price: $26.50, Current Vintage: 2018) is medium-bodied with a fruit-forward nose and taste. Because it is a rounder, fuller wine, it is more approachable (not better, just more approachable) than KLV. It will also be much easier to find. So this is what I recommend you try for your first Finger Lakes Cab Franc. (I will warn you that they’ve been selling out in recent years because word is slowly getting out how good their wine is, and they don’t produce as much Cab Franc as they do Riesling.)
If you want to take it up a notch, you can look for their single vineyard bottling from Magdalena Vineyard (Winery Price: $37, Current Vintage: 2018). The two-and-a-half-acre block of Cabernet Franc they use for this wine is amongst their ripest picks each vintage. That means this wine is the boldest Cab Franc they make and will pair fantastically with heavier meals, including steak. In fact, this is the red wine we served at our wedding to complement the beautiful filet mignon.
If you have the opportunity to buy either of these wines, I’d recommend you buy a bit of each. The estate Cab Franc is great when you want a medium-bodied red and can work with a range of foods including salmon, chicken, pork, duck and red meat. The Magdalena Vineyard is more suited to heartier fare like aged cheese, still duck (duck + Cab Franc is truly a match made in heaven), and red meat. You may also simply like a bolder Cab Franc. Try both if you can and see which one you prefer.
Catherine & Pierre Breton (Saint Louans)
This is a good producer from the Loire, which includes Chinon. If you see this wine at your local store, it’s what I’d snap up. You are probably more likely to see it on a restaurant menu though, which makes it difficult to price tier. If you do see it in the store, and you get lucky enough to find the ‘Saint Louans’, their top tier Chinon, you’re probably looking at $45. If you find a different Cab Franc from Catherine & Pierre Breton, I’d still recommend you buy it.
If you see it on a restaurant menu, it will likely be closer to $100 to $125, which is much more than you’d spend in the store, but a lower markup than many of the other wines on the list. (This is where the value comes in. It isn’t inexpensive. It is simply a better value, aka lower markup, than other wines you may choose to purchase from the restaurant’s wine list. Sparkling wine, another of my favorites, is notorious for having high markups.)
You can find more information and additional wines they offer from their distributor Kermit Lynch.
JM Cellars
Okay, I admit I cheated here a bit. The JM Cellars Louisa (Winery Price: $48, Current Vintage: 2017) is 50% Cab Franc and 50% Merlot so it isn’t truly a Cab Franc, it is a Bordeaux-style blend. However, I didn’t want to leave out Washington State and this is a producer I enjoy. Washington has several wine regions, including the Woodinville region just north of Seattle.
Washington produces beautiful bold reds that go well with heavier fare. I still remember enjoying a bottle of JM Cellars red with aged gouda and remarking on how perfectly they complemented each other. Truthfully, the best wine JM Cellars produces is their Tre Fanciulli but there’s no Cab Franc at all in that, so buy the Tre Fanciulli but also buy the Louisa. You’ll find the Louisa to be easy drinking with red fruit notes on the nose and the palate.
Over $50
Col Solare
Col Solare is a partnership between Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori that brings together great Washington fruit with 26 generations of Antinori family winemaking experience. (This idea of bringing together Old World and New World may sound familiar to you as it is done in other places, most famously at Opus One in California.)
Col Solare specializes in Cab Sauv, but don’t overlook their Component Collection Cabernet Franc (Winery Price: $68, Current Vintage: 2015). This is a dark, powerful Cab Franc with a nose of spice and dried fruits and a rich mouthfeel. This is another Cab Franc that would be excellent with steak.
Pride Mountain
Finally we close out the Cab Franc recommendations with Pride Mountain (Winery Price: $75, Current Vintage: 2017). This Cab Franc has a very loyal following, including yours truly. It is released every August and it sells out almost immediately. If you want a chance at securing a bottle, you’ll need to join the mailing list. Once you’ve joined the list you will receive an email in August asking if you want to purchase any Cab Franc. You’ll be able to purchase up to three bottles and will be able to request more on your wish list. (You’ll be able to purchase their Merlot at the same time, which is also delicious though a bit more plentiful.)
Why are we all so in love with this wine that we sit by our inboxes waiting for this email every August? Well, it is the best example of big, bold Cab Franc that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. And it isn’t big and bold just to be big and bold. It’s big and bold because that’s what the growing conditions on Pride Mountain provide, and the winemaker uses the right amount of oak to bring all the beautiful nuances to light. This wine is rich and silky with dark fruit and spice notes and just the right amount of tannin. It coats your palate and has a long lingering finish.
I know $75 is a lot to spend on a bottle, but give this a try for a special occasion. You’ll be glad you did.
Did I miss your favorite Cab Franc? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to give it a try.