December 4th is International Cabernet Franc Day, honouring one of the wine world’s most important, yet often understated, red grape varieties.
Although frequently found in the shadows of the more popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has an equally big, if not bigger, role to play in the world of viticulture.
In addition to parenting Cabernet Sauvignon (in conjunction with Sauvignon Blanc), Cabernet Franc is also a parent variety to Merlot and Carménère.
The grape finds its origins in Bordeaux, where it is growing in cultivation today. While Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot tend to dominate the blends here, Cabernet Franc is a frequent second fiddle in both Left and Right Bank blends.
Outside of Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is one of the main players in the Loire Valley, where it is often bottled as a monovarietal wine. Here, the grape tends to create light to medium-bodied wines laden with flavours of red fruit, green bell pepper, and earth.
Beyond France, Cabernet Franc is finding significant footing in Argentina, and northern Italy.
Scroll down to see award-winning Cabernet Franc wines from DWWA 2024
On the vine, Cabernet Franc boasts thin, bluish-black skins and is earlier ripening than Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape thrives in cooler climates; when grown in chillier areas, Cabernet Franc-based wines will have lighter bodies and earthier / greener notes, whereas wines produced in warmer areas will show jammier, more fruit-driven flavours. Wines produced from Cabernet Franc often show notes of raspberry, red currants, forest floor, black pepper, green bell pepper, and earth. Acidity is generally medium to high and tannins are present yet approachable.
When produced at the hands of great winemakers, well-made expressions of Cabernet Franc can withstand decades in the cellar. For ageworthy expressions of Cabernet Franc, looking to legendary producers from Saumur, Chinon, and Saumur-Champigny is a great place to start.
Here is a selection of the awarded single varietal Cabernet Franc wines from around the world at Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 to better understand what this grape is all about. Discover more at awards.decanter.com
International Cabernet Franc Day: Single varietal awarded wines to try
Argentina
Viña Doña Paula, Altaluvia, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2019
Best in Show, 97 points
It’s hard to believe, today, that the first vines in Gualtallary weren’t planted until 1992 – and then only for sparkling wine. Thirty years have seen an explosion of interest and discovery in its high-altitude and often steeply sloping sites, and we have now discovered just how propitious parts of this large zone (21,000 ha, with 2,250 ha planted) can be for both still whites and zesty, perfumed red wines. This, too, is the third Argentinian Cabernet Franc to find itself in our Best In Show selection, underscoring how well suited this variety can be for high-altitude Andean viticulture. It’s dark and warmly scented with loganberry and plum; on the palate, you’ll find the fruit deft and singing, balanced and poised – very much a tenor rather than a bass within the Argentinian red-wine universe. More soft loganberry dominates the palate, with both tannins and acids in supportive rather than dominant roles. Alcohol 14.9%
Trivento, Golden Reserve Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2022
Gold, 95 points
Shrouded in varietal typicity with wonderful high altitude concentration; expressive lavender and thyme aromatics meld with red fruits and the granular tannic core keeps the freshness in check. Alc 14.5%
Bodegas Etchart, Single Vineyard, Cafayate, Salta 2023
Silver, 93 points
Delicate nose with floral aromas and meaty undertones, touches of spicy fruit and herbs. Chewy palate, with a juicy finish. Alc 14%
Kaiken, Obertura, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021
Silver, 93 points
The nose displays herbaceous nuances with well judged spicy oak and tobacco notes. Peppery and broad palate, with a long finish. Alc 14.5%
Australia
Aldi, Specially Selected Cabernet Franc, South Australia 2022
Silver, 94 points
Fragrant and lifted, with lovely berry liqueur and eucalyptus leading to a palate of concentrated cassis and focused acidity. Alc 14.2%
Brazil
Casa Geraldo, Gran Reserva Colheita de Inverno, Serra da Mantiqueira 2021
Silver, 94 points
Floral and fruity with an interesting combination of red and black fruits with balsamic nuances. Fleshy and juicy palate. Alc 14.5%
Bulgaria
Gorun Winery, Reserve, Northern Region – Danubian Plain 2021
Silver, 93 points
Herbaceous nose with notes of kale and Ribena. Juicy and plush on the palate, with moderate tannins and body. Alc 13.6%
Italy
Fattoria Villa Saletta, 980 AD, Tuscany 2019
Gold, 95 points
Adorned with herbal perfume and lifted menthol notes which dance joyously over the luxuriant texture and layers of refined oak, with a lasting peppery finish. Alc 14%
Tenuta Meraviglia, Maestro di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2019
Platinum, 97 points
Captivating fresh herbs and inky blackcurrant fruit aromatics overlay the enticing chocolate swirls. Beautifully refined and expressive on the palate with well-knit oak tannins and a stunning saline acidity to temper. Very long and profound. Alc 14%
Tenute Lunelli – Podernovo, Auritea, Costa Toscana, Tuscany 2018
Silver, 93 points
Aromatic herbs, red currants and green pepper, layers of leather and grilled meat, lingers with dusty tannins and dark chocolate. Alc 14%
Moldova
Podgoria Vin, Aborigi 2020
Silver, 93 points
Oaky nose with notes of dry leaves, loganberry and complex paprika nuances. Concentrated and intense, with a spicy finish. Lovely. Alc 13%
Slovenia
Gasper, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2021
Gold, 96 points
Robust black pepper, vivid red fruit and simpering herbal tones embellish the luscious texture and refreshing zip of acidity. Long and firm with textbook varietal character. Alc 13%
South Africa
KWV, The Mentors, Stellenbosch 2021
Gold, 95 points
Effortless opulence with bountiful violets, plump blackberries and plums with a seasoning of judicious tobacco oak enlivened with brisk acidity and persistent chalky tannins. Very impressive. Alc 14.5%
Uva Mira, The Dance, Stellenbosch 2020
Silver, 93 points
Blackberries, tomato leaf and cedar notes. Integrate palate with generous oak. The leafy notes add vibrancy to firm tannin form. Alc 14.5%
USA
Clos du Val, Estate, Stags Leap District, California 2021
Gold, 96 points
Concentrated cassis, plum and blackberry fruit with a smoky cedar wood leaning. Rounded and generous with punchy tannins and a fine rasp of acidity. Beautifully defined. Alc 14.3%
