Cabernet Franc

What you can expect to taste and smell?

Primary Flavours & Aromas

Bordeaux

St Emillon, Medoc, Graves

• Less Body / Tannin than Cab Sav
• if unripe - herbacous, stalky flavour
• ripe - vibrant fruit, floral

Loire

Touraine, Chinon, Bourgeil:

• Light, fruity, early drink, sandy soils

• Fuller body comes from south facing slopes (limestone, clay soils)

• Some wines matured in oak - capacity to evolve for years

Saumur-Champigny

• Lighter body, young, drink chilled, violet
• more modern style - tannic, fuller body, can age

Cabernet d’Anjou

• Med dry, med sweet Rose

Cool vs. Warm Climate

Cool Climate: In cooler regions, Cabernet Franc maintains its herbal and red fruit character, emphasizing its elegance and freshness.

Warm/Hot Climate: Grown in warmer areas, the grape can produce riper, fuller-bodied wines with more pronounced dark fruit and spice characteristics.

Appellations / Producers of Note

Seek out Chinon and Bourgueil in the Loire Valley, as well as Pomerol and Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux.

Age-worthiness

Cabernet Franc is delightful in its youth, displaying its vibrant fruit and herbal character.

However, the grape truly shines with time, evolving into complex wines that can age for decades.

Meet the author

Damien Saunders
WSET3 award - Has been on a journey to learn more about wine, viticulture since I started travelling. Every country has something to drink.
Find our more about me.