Published on October 24, 2024
Cabernet Franc is unfortunately overshadowed by its precocious offspring. It is one of the genetic parents of Cabernet SauvignonCarménère, MalbecAnd Merlot and many researchers believe that it was cultivated in ancient Burdigalia (now Bordeaux) because it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder. In the United States, it is typically used as a blending grape in Bordeaux-style blends. There are approximately 3,400 acres of Cab Franc grown in California with vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. Winemakers also grow it in Washington, Oregon, New York, Virginia, and to a lesser extent in Michigan and Indiana. High-end Cabernet Franc is not often found as a single-varietal wine, but when made well, it is truly astonishing. However, the challenge is finding these amazing and elusive wines. But don’t worry, we’re big fans of Cab Franc and we’ve done the work for you. Here are the seven best bottles of Cabernet Franc you should buy now.
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Woodward Canyon 2021 Domaine Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Washington
Woodward Canyon was planted in 1977 and is located as far west as possible in the Walla Walla OPEN. It consists of 35 acres of vineyards and a handful of others surrounding vineyards that are home to multiple varieties of pine and sage. The soils are predominantly loamy and the vineyard is located between 750 and 850 feet above sea level. For this 100% Cab Franc wine, the grapes are harvested by hand and cold macerated for two days before being inoculated with native yeasts. Fermentation takes place in large stainless steel barrels and the wine is transferred to oak barrels (about a quarter new) and aged for 18 months. It is inky garnet in color with aromas of Gala apple, blackcurrant and geranium leaf that open on the palate with flavors of red raspberry jam, red plum and sun-dried tomato. Soft tannins linger in a satisfying finish. Only 435 cases were produced.
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Acumen 2021 Peak Cabernet Franc Atlas Peak Napa Valley California
The grapes grow in Insight Atlas Peak vineyards typically experience temperatures five to ten degrees cooler than the valley floor, lending a pronounced feeling of freshness and balanced acidity. While the growing season was marked by dry conditions that resulted in smaller grapes and lower yields, the winemaking team felt the flavors were better concentrated and would produce an excellent wine. We couldn’t agree more; The 2021 Cab Franc features tantalizing aromas of crushed violet petal, red raspberry, tomato leaf and hints of tobacco leaf and cedar. Silky, soft tannins lead the way to flavors of redcurrant, cherry, clove and raspberry with invigorating minerality on the finish.
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Miller Family Wines 2021 J. Wilkes Cabernet Franc Highlands District Paso Robles California
The Miller family has been producing wine since 1871 on California’s central coast. Currently in their fifth generation, the family can trace its history back to William Richard Broome who acquired Rancho Guadalasca through a land grant. Part of the land is now owned by the state and is known as Point Mugu State Park. The family produces wines from many varietals, but their Cab Franc caught our attention during a tasting in the area. It features aromas of red fruits, cinnamon, saddle leather and campfire smoke, accompanied by pleasantly firm tannins and flavors of cherry, vanilla and brown baking spices.
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Caladan 2019 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley California
Winemaker Chris Carpenter is well known for its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, but is less known for its wines made from less popular grape varieties. He and his team at Caladan intend to change that with this superb, predominantly Cabernet Franc wine. Grapes are grown at Yverdon Vineyard in the Spring Mountain District, Wallis Vineyard in the Diamond Mountain District, WS Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain, and Mt. Brave Vineyard on Mount Veeder. After harvesting, sorting and fermentation, the wine is transferred to 75 percent new French oak barrels for 22 months, and the final blend is about one-fifth Merlot. It features aromas of red cherry, red raspberry, freshly brewed coffee and cherry liqueur. Silky tannins and well-structured minerality lead the way to flavors of dried cherry, espresso bean and red currant. Only 588 cases completed.
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GRO 2019 Frediani Vineyard Cabernet Franc Calistoga Napa Valley California
Winemaker Lars Bjorkman, his growing team and winemakers were worried when the 2019 growing season began with very little winter rain, but it turned out to be a great summer with mild, stable weather and only a few days at above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At harvest time in early October, there was an abundance of ripe Cabernet Franc grapes ripe to crush to make this delicious wine. After fermentation, it was aged in 65% new French oak for approximately two years and bottled at the end of June 2021. Aromas of crushed violet petals, blue fruit and black currant lead the way to flavors of blueberry, dark chocolate and blackberry jam, with cashmere tannins that linger in a satisfying finish.
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Lang & Reed 2019 Two Fourteen Cabernet Franc Napa Valley California
Lang & Reed began working with Cabernet Franc in the early 1990s and during this time they were able to get their hands on some amazing Loire Valley clones to plant. Named after clone 214, this alluring wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes grown in the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. The wine team believes that the 2019 campaign was perfect for bringing out some of the best qualities of Cab Franc. It has a bright ruby color with aromas of black raspberry, red raspberry, violet candy and dried sage with silky tannins on the palate and flavors of blackcurrant, vanilla, dried cherry and a touch of herbs of Provence dried in the finish. Drink now through 2029.
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Barnett Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Franc Spring Mountain District Napa Valley
Winemaker David Tate makes this flavorful Cab Franc with grapes harvested from the Manzanita, Arena and Madrone blocks on Spring Mountain. He cold soaked the grapes for two days and left them to macerate on the skins for 20 days, which turned them a dark purple color. A blend of 95 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Merlot, the wines were aged for 22 months in French oak barrels before being blended. It features aromas of espresso beans, black currants and freshly ground black pepper. Flavors of black raspberry, dark chocolate, red plum and a finishing touch of tangy mint are wrapped in a sheath of opulent tannins. Drink from now until 2032.
