WSET3 Palate Notes
Tastes Like:
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.
First Published: Saturday, Sep 9, 2023 Last updated: Jun 10, 2024If you're a wine enthusiast like me ... follow my adventures, learn about grapes or winemaking.
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