Cabernet Franc

Grape of the Week

Cabernet Franc

This week I want to talk about the other Cab; the father of Cabernet Sauvignon. As much as Cab Sauv may claim when drunk that "It's not my father!" DNA and Sauvignon Blanc will both confirm that her and the dapper Frenchman Cab Franc consummated their marriage many years ago giving us the wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is a French grape that originally hails from Bordeaux, but it is also found as a single variety throughout France's Loire Valley, in northern Italy, and North America.

Cab Franc is a versatile grape in Canada; it makes Ice wine in Ontario as well as nice table reds and roses in BC. It is a key blending partner in the big reds from Bordeaux; with the right bank region Saint Emilion using the most in their blends, but still usually under 50%.  It is an earlier ripening grape the Cab Sauv so it is used more in cooler vintages. Further north in the Loire Valley you usually won't see the grape on the label so you will have to look for the appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur. These wines range in style and prices. The cheaper ones tend to be light in body and tannin, fruity, easy drinking, and sometimes served chilled. The higher quality ones will have been aged in oak, are medium to fuller body with rich complex flavours of riper fruit with floral and savory notes. These wines have good structure and can last a couple of decades. In general Cab Franc wines will have less body, tannin, and finesse then it's offspring Cab Sauv, but it does retain it's acidity to keep them very much mouth watering and worth exploring.

I did a small Cab Franc tasting on the weekend with friends; three from BC and a light Chinon to compare to. The Chinon was definitely the lightest of the flight with juicy cherry notes, soft tannin, and no signs of oak. Where as the BC wines were all oaked more medium(+) body, with riper more pronounced fruits and some savory aromas.



Chinon - JEAN MAURICE RAFFAULT - 2013 - France - $20

Light bodied with soft unobtrusive tannins, and a crisp acidity. Slightly chilled this will go down too easy with it's light notes of cherry, floral and a hint minerality. No detectable oak, drink now or give it to me.



Cabernet Franc - TINHORN CREEK - 2012 - BC - $23

This was medium bodied with ripe cherries, plum, blackcurrant, some smokey cedar, and a hint of vanilla and tobacco, nice nuances. 12 months in 2-3 year old American and French oak. Drink now or in the next 3-5 years






Cabernet Franc - BLACK SAGE - 2013 - BC - $21

This one had dark cherry, blueberry, with a hint of cedar, forest floor, sweet spices, and I was getting some tomato as well. It had 12 months in American and French oak. Drink now or in next 2-3 years







Cabernet Franc Block 3 Reserve - HESTER CREEK - 2012 - BC - $29

Ripe plum, cherry, raspberry, with toasty vanilla, and a distinct green pepper note. A bit smokey with dark chocolaty bramble fruits and a bit of black pepper spice on the palate. With 12-16 months in American and French oak. Drink now, or sit on for 3-7 years.