American Cabernet Franc: Panel tasting results
An impressively wide-ranging tasting, and the ‘other’ Cabernet’s keen band of admirers will be delighted with the quality and diversity to be discovered.
Amanda Barnes, Vincenzo Arnese and Ben Gubbins tasted 149 wines, with 5 Outstanding and 61 Highly recommended.
American Cabernet Franc: Panel tasting scores
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 5
Highly recommended 61
Recommended 69
Commended 8
Fair 6
Poor 0
Entry criteria: Producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release dry, still red wines made from a minimum of 75% Cabernet Franc grapes.
Cabernet Franc is undoubtedly a rising star of the Americas. Although still niche, it has been steadily rising in the ranks and playing a greater role in each of the major wine countries. Its leafy, peppery, fresh, fragrant style can offer the ideal counterpart to the richer styles of heavyweight champion varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat and Merlot.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the American Cabernet Franc panel tasting
This tasting was a fantastic opportunity to take the pulse of what is becoming a very exciting category across both continents. Of the 149 entries, more than 44% scored 90 points or above – a rather impressive result, given how new the boom in Cabernet Franc is.
‘It was a great performance which showed really excellent quality and value,’ said Ben Gubbins. ‘It was very interesting to see the breadth and variety of the wines – from cool-climate, restrained wines to big and bold ones! I hadn’t expected such versatility.’
The diversity of styles was a talking point during the two days of the tasting. We found it surprising, and a little disappointing, that there were far more producers chasing riper, richer styles than the lithe, fragrant and spicy styles that this variety can achieve so well. The top scorers were wines that embraced the fresher, more peppery and floral style, offering balance yet pronounced varietal typicity.
‘Some regions have a better vision of what they want to do with Cabernet Franc, while others it seems are still finding their direction,’ Vincenzo Arnese reasoned. ‘Argentina and Chile were very consistent, and I was especially impressed by Uruguay, which showed very good potential. The US showed more the style of wines that US consumers like to drink, and the Canadians seem to be still deciding what they want to do with the variety.’
See notes and scores for all the American Cabernet Franc panel tasting wines
Stylistically, we saw a huge range of expressions in Canada and the US – from lighter-bodied wines from New Jersey and spicy wines from British Columbia to the dense, brooding wines from Washington State and rich opulence from Napa and Niagara. While our sampling from Chile was disappointingly slim, there were some lively expressions; and Uruguay impressed with its distinctive savoury character and balance.
There was, however, no doubt that Argentina is the leader of American Cabernet Franc. Although there was some winemaking diversity, Argentina – especially the Uco Valley – unquestionably has an affinity for the variety and a clear direction towards floral, herbaceous styles with freshness and a fine, chalky texture on the palate.
The wines that least impressed the panel were those that overdid it with the oak and overshot with ripeness. ‘I think we would have been more impressed with more perfumed, elegant styles,’ said Arnese. ‘The wines that express the grape variety and its personality best are not covered by winemaking.’
To our delight, though, there were plenty of wines that really did stand out and let the variety shine: elegant, fragrant and engaging. There were certainly some flashes of brilliance in this tasting, and many glimmers of excitement as to why Cabernet Franc truly is a rising star of the Americas.
American Cabernet Franc: Panel tasting scores
The judges
Amanda Barnes is a writer and presenter specialising in South American travel and wine. A DWWA judge, she is author of the award-winning South America Wine Guide (£35 southamericawineguide.com)
Vincenzo Arnese is the director of wine at Raffles London at the OWO. Born in Naples, he specialised in sommellerie at hospitality school, then worked at top hotels in Italy, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Ben Gubbins is general manager and WSET wine educator at Vagabond Wines in London. A native of Chile, he previously worked as UK & Europe sales director for Dos Andes Wines before joining Vagabond in 2013
Related articles
- New Zealand reds beyond Pinot Noir: Panel tasting results
- Prosecco: Panel tasting results
- German dry Riesling: Panel tasting results
Tapiz, Alta Collection Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
From one of the coolest-climate Uco Valley sub-regions, this is produced at Bodega Tapiz’s San Pablo estate high in the Andean foothills at 1,350m. This...
2019
TapizUco Valley
Bodega Garzon, Reserva Cabernet Franc, Maldonado, Uruguay, 2021
Guided by the hand of Alberto Antonini, Bodega Garzón has become one of the forerunners of Uruguay’s trend towards increasingly vibrant coastal wines. From the...
2021
Bodega Garzon
Pride Mountain Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2020
More than 600m above the valley floor of Napa, Pride is on the crest of the Mayacamas mountains with volcanic loam soils rich in clay....
2020
Pride Mountain VineyardsSonoma County
Southbrook Vineyards, Organic Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada, 2020
One of Canada’s leaders in biodynamic viticulture, Southbrook has been a pioneer of sustainable initiatives in Niagara since its foundation in 2005. Its sustainable approach...
2020
Southbrook VineyardsNiagara Peninsula
Zorzal, Gran Terroir Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2022
One of the first estate wineries in high-altitude Gualtallary, Zorzal has been instrumental in putting this increasingly renowned wine region on the map. This comes...
2022
ZorzalUco Valley
Andeluna, Pasionado Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Expressive and peppery, earthy, dry tobacco leaf, savoury, smoky on the nose. Cardamom and clove spice add intrigue to this inky and full-bodied wine, while...
2020
AndelunaUco Valley
Renacer, Punto Final Reserva Cabernet Franc, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Blackberry with peppery aromas. Dark cherry, blueberry, and grippy green fruit on the palate with integrated tannins and delicious, leafy freshness on the finish. Delicious...
2021
RenacerLuján de Cuyo
Riglos Wines, Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Lively peppery nose, tobacco, cedar, raspberry. Smoked spices, black tea and chalk give a savoury style to this bold wine. Fine-grained tannins, ripe red and...
2021
Riglos WinesUco Valley
Sophenia, Estate Reserva Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Spicy and peppery with notes of wildflowers on the nose. Tobacco leaf, with very expressive herbal flavours on the palate. Round, smooth and vibrant, with...
2021
SopheniaUco Valley
Bodega Norton, Altura Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Spice, red fruit and tobacco leaf on the nose. Ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours with rich oak, good length and a bight classy, finish....
2021
Bodega NortonUco Valley
Desquiciado, Salvaje Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Floral, aromatic, vibrant notes of tobacco and pepper. The fruit shines on through the finish. Well balanced and harmonious. Great brightness and freshness to the...
2020
DesquiciadoUco Valley
La Coste de Los Andes, Andillian Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Wildflowers, violets, and rose hips with a lovely expression of pepper spice. The palate is vibrant with good fruit concentration and fine tannins. Lingering ripeness...
2021
La Coste de Los Andes
Lang & Reed, Two-Fourteen Cabernet Franc, California, USA, 2019
Dark and brooding fruit on the nose with toasty, sweet spice. The palate is full of the spiciness that is true to . A wine...
2019
Lang & Reed
Trefethen Family Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll, California, USA, 2020
Inviting, elegant nose with pepper spice and red fruit.Good varietal definition. Tobacco and oak spices with red and black fruits on the palate. Expressive and...
2020
Trefethen Family VineyardsNapa Valley
Catena, Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Blue fruit and floral lift on the nose. Juniper and blueberry tart, with a floral, peppery, and delightfully smooth, round palate with vibrancy and poise....
2021
Catena
Cedar Creek, Platinum Haynes Creek Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, 2020
Tobacco leaf, graphite, raspberry, blueberry. Medium-bodied, warm and smooth, with plenty of ripe red fruit and an undertone of spice that lifts the finish. Nicely...
2020
Cedar CreekOkanagan Valley
La Vigilia, Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Smoky spice and earthy graphite with cassis and hints of pomegranate on the nose. A light, elegant, delicate style with some oak spice, red fruits...
2021
La VigiliaUco Valley
Road 13 Vineyards, John Oliver Selection Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, 2020
A complex nose with floral nuances, tobacco, with forest fruit and freshly cracked black pepper. Slightly chalky tannins aid the structure of this wine of...
2020
Road 13 VineyardsOkanagan Valley
Susana Balbo, BenMarco Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Candied nose, shows an elegant uplift, roses and geranium. Pronounced, Maqui berry, wet stones, and bell pepper. The palate brings in leafiness and blueberry fruit,...
2021
Susana BalboUco Valley
Alpasión, Grand Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
Pronounced, wet stones, ripe red fruits, pepper, capsicum. Fresh jalapeño and black fruit with a concentrated balance of grippy tannin and enjoyable fruit.
2021
AlpasiónUco Valley
Bianchi, Particular Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
A sophisticated balance of dense, ripe fruit core with black pepper and exotic spices. Good freshness, firm structure with youthful, but complex fruit. A compact...
2020
BianchiUco Valley
Doña Paula, Altaluvia Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
Pronounced note of crushed black pepper, stewed red fruits, graphite, and tobacco. Lively red fruits and berries on the palate with velvety tannins. Round and...
2019
Doña PaulaUco Valley
El Esteco, Fincas Notables Cabernet Franc, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina, 2019
Alluring nose of ripe red and blue fruit, and tobacco leaves, with a hint of oak on the nose. The palate is smooth, and the...
2019
El EstecoCalchaquí Valley
Falasco, Hermandad Winemaker Series Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
A luxurious nose of leather, tobacco, blackcurrant, jammy fruit, meat and tobacco. The palate is crisp with full, round, smooth, velvety, and charred wood notes....
2019
FalascoUco Valley
Fielding, Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada, 2020
Expressive nose with red fruit and black pepper spice. A generous, pleasant wine with a mix of spice, red and black fruits, savoury notes and...
2020
FieldingNiagara Peninsula
Leaning Post, Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada, 2019
Toasty and meaty, with black pepper and herbaceous aromas. Vibrant red fruit with good intensity. Pleasant and balanced with great freshness through to the finish.
2019
Leaning PostNiagara Peninsula
Mendel, Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
A ripe nose, elegant with fresh peppery notes. Good varietal character, quite leafy, with pungent spice and cedar on the pallet. Firm tannins, smoky charcoal...
2021
MendelUco Valley
MontGras, Handcrafted 4 Cabernet Franc, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2022
Intense nose of brambly and blueberry fruit, with notes of blackcurrant leaves and sweet spice. Tobacco, bell pepper, pepper and blue fruit on the palate....
2022
MontGras
Morandé, Adventure El Padre Cabernet Franc, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2021
Intense and smoky, with evidence of juniper and blackcurrant, dry herbs and tomato leaves on the nose. Crunchy fruit lifts the palate while peppery tannins...
2021
Morandé
Urqo, Palo Santo Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2022
Intense sweet spice, floral violet notes and blueberry, bramble fruit on the nose. A ripe plum fruit core with chalky tannins, good freshness with hints...
2022
UrqoUco Valley
Brecon Estate, Reserve Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2020
A slowly evolving nose with subtle layers of forest floor, wild mint and vanilla pod muddled with bramble fruit, blackcurrant and tomato leaf. Fresh with...
2020
Brecon EstatePaso Robles
Domaine Queylus, Réserve du Domaine Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada, 2020
Classy and classic nose with juniper, blueberry and coriander seed. Savoury, meat, graphite, red cherry, toast and charcoal with good complexity and, a bit of...
2020
Domaine QueylusNiagara Peninsula
Familia Schroeder, Saurus Barrel Fermented Cabernet Franc, Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina, 2021
Wildflowers and chocolate mint aromas. The palate is laden with violets, blueberries and warm spice. Bramble fruits on the palate with intense ripeness and a...
2021
Familia SchroederNeuquén
Fort Berens, Reserve Cabernet Franc, Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada, 2020
Rich and bold, intense ripe dark cherry, plum and blackcurrant on the nose. Crushed raspberries with a juicy and lively mouthfeel that finishes on a...
2020
Fort BerensLillooet
La Rural, Rutini Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Intense and rich with a barnyard-like nose. Cedar, pepper, tobacco leaf, and a touch of leather. A savoury, smoky profile, showing some development. Layers of...
2020
La RuralUco Valley
Casarena, Single Vineyard Lauren Cabernet Franc, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2020
Grilled pepper and smoked meat notes make for a savoury wine. There is good ripeness of blueberry and raspberry, a crisp, pleasing palate with supple...
2020
CasarenaLuján de Cuyo
