Being Argentinian loved to see Catena's Angelica Zapata here. Even if the world knows us for Malbec, Alejandro Vigil is a Cab Franc specialist and the Cab Francs he does are among the best in the world I would dare to say, this Angelica but mostly the Enemigo/Gran Enemigo which are just stunning (the Gran Enemigo CF Gualtallary got 100 points in the 2013 and 2019 vintages for example). Cheers!
@@bigfella3411 Like most wines, much of it comes down to the skill of the winemaker. The amount of Cab Franc produced in the Finger Lakes is quite large but few know what to do with it. Some of the worst Cab Franc I ever had came from the Finger Lakes on Seneca. Many of them just grow it for the sake of growing it, it seems. However, you've got Fox Run making excellent port-styles out of Cab Franc and now I hear that on the opposite bank, Wagner is dropping the gauntlet and releasing a single-vineyard Cab Franc from 2022. It's gutsy. We'll see how it goes. But winemakers have a way to go rehabilitating the reputation of Cab Franc and its far from guaranteed.
The aroma of Cabernet Franc always reminds me of wine bars/cafes in Paris. Chinon, Saumur Champigny, Anjou etc. I’ve had the Damascene and was very impressed. One of my favourite red varieties and it keeps getting better and better.
Konstantin, thank you so much for the special tasting of Cabernet Franc! It's one of my favorite red grape varieties, alongside Pinot Noir and Syrah. I'm delighted to see that all the wines in your lineup scored 90 or above. It would have been interesting to include a few more Old World wines, like Philippe Alliet or Olga Raffault, or New World Cabernet Francs, such as Enemigo/Gran Enemigo, in the tasting.
I really recommend tasting some CF from Villány, Hungary. It produces great wines, especially from producers like Attila Gere, Jammertal wine estate, Sauska or József Bock. It is said that CF found its new home in Villány, and the region has been focusing on it as the main variatel.
yes, such a shame that hungarian wines are pretty much never included anywhere, and especially this time for Cabernet Franc when Villany is said to be one of the best places to grow it along with the region handling the grape as its flagship and for a good reason. Btw Villanyi Franc does not mean it can only be super premium. It is the top category within the brand, but there can also be "just" premium Villanyi Francs too. Different criterias for different classifications, similarly to Bikaver.
@@baggrabb Well, the Angelica CF is made by the same guy behind El Enemigo (Ale Vigil). Catena being his primary employer, he's been their chief winemaker for years
As an upstate (outside the NYC metro area) New Yorker, I've been waiting to see a Finger Lakes wine make an appearance. I was surprised that a Cab Franc made an appearance before a Riesling. My favorite Cab Franc from that region is the Cab Franc Barrel Select from Domaine Leseurre. Their run of varietals is much more reminiscent of old world wines than other wineries in the area. I love the sharing of knowledge that Konstantin provides. I find his ratings line up much more with reality than a lot of other raters. Cheers! Edit: I rewatched the Rieslings from around the world video and have no idea how I missed Red Newt Cellars grom Hector, NY when I watched that vid.
Nice to see Ben's Cab Franc, from Osmote Winery in the NY Finger Lakes. He makes some fantastic wines! I worked at a local Tasting Room and his wines were popular there. Ben has a good feel for creating Chardonnay's too-and his Rosé is amazing, even though I am not normally a Rosé fan, my sister and I both love that one. Ben's grandfather (our neighbor) used to make red wine in his basement-so family tradition carried on. I was too young to taste his wine, but I sure ate a lot of his grapes! 😁
Philippe Alliet in Chinon is my go-to when it comes to Cab Franc. But I definitely love the versatility this variety can offer, especially in cooler, fresher examples.
One of the best wines i had last year was a cab franc dominant blend from South africa... Taaibosch crescendo. Love Riesling from the finger lakes, guess I'll be hunting some CF as well now.
I just love how Cab Franc expresses itself in the Bordeaux blends. It's so intense and perfumey, that it always sticks out, even in very small proportions. Fun fact: one of my friends brought a bottle of Lanessan at a tasting once and we served it blind. I didn't guess Bordeaux but I guessed the Franc. Only 6% of the final blend, but its perfume was sooo obvious in there. Alongside Cheval Blanc, Figeac is another famous St. Emilion that uses Cab Franc quite a lot. But the amazing Lafleur must be the most iconic wine in Bordeaux that heavily relies on Cab Franc.
Chinon and Bourgueil have been my go-to red wines for a while. They're unpretentious, rarely overbearing, perfect with both simple and elaborate food. I am curious about CF from other regions. I tasted a terrific vintage of Paleo a few years ago. I think it was the 2007. At $150 per bottle, I thought it was reasonably price, but a more recent vintage was disappointing. I have a couple of bottles of the 2019 in the cellar. Based on your evaluation I'll let them rest for some years. Thanks for pointing me to Guiberteau, which I will try to get a hold of. None of the other bottles are available where I live.
Thanks for mentioning the background/story of the winery & a brief on the vinification technics for each wine. It’s so helpful to help understand wine along with the tasting notes.
Very nice that you score 95 pts on a 20 US dollars wine - that’s the price not in Argentina , where is even cheaper , but here in Brazil ! We have to value more the wines from Salta, Mendoza , and Patagonia . They are oustanding ! Cheers !
Cabernet Franc is one of my favorite red grape varieties of late. Feel like it's my gateway drug from preferring lighter bodied reds typical of Sangiovese to wines that tend to have more grip and body.
@@jimmyspinelli not necessarily lighter. They're both light, but I feel most of the CF wines I have are more tannic than the Sangiovese wines. Might be a mistake of my palette or just the styles of wines I typically procure.
Glad you liked the Osmote bottle Konstantin, I live nearby and fell in love with their red pet-nat last summer, they're destined for greatness I'm sure!
I've had at least several Cab. Francs. I really enjoy Catena's malbec, so after your tasting of their Cab. Franc, I ordered 3 bottles from an online retailer. I always appreciate your videos. Cheers.
Cabernet Franc is also grown exceptionally well just north of the Finger Lakes in the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario. Check out Domaine Queylus (I happen represent them in Southwest Ontario so let me know if you want some :) all bias aside they are excellent) or Thirty Bench Winery. Both have won awards for their Cabernet Franc wines. Cheers!
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finger Lakes Region getting respect! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Konstantin for featuring a wine from the Finger Lakes. Some great things happening there.
Love Cab Franc, especially for its unique nose, which contributes so much for top Bordeaux blends. Enjoyed many excellent Chinon over the years and was a bit surprised you did not have one one this lineup. Thanks for another interesting vid, Master!
Last couple of years I regularly (2/3 times a year) drink the El Enemigo cabernet franc with great pleasure. This video convinced me to try more cab franc in 2024.
I live near the Finger Lakes so Cab Franc is one of my favorites (along with dry Riesling and dry Gewurztraminer). The fresh acidity of Cab Franc from cold weather regions just makes it lively and wonderful. I have never been to Osmote but will have to try it. If you come to the Finger Lakes (and you should!) I can send you some recommendations and perhaps meet up to share some of my amateur swill.
Hi. I’m a recent addition to your followers. Dutchie who grew up in France in the Cahors region, always liked wine but got more in too it since I manage at a vineyards restaurant in New Zealand, Waiheke island. Love your content, and have bing watched it all over and over again. Got a few cab francs aging away in my collection but the best one I drank and can remember being a cab franc is the Jurassic Ridge 100% cab franc from 2010. It’s also of Waiheke island, fermented or Aged in amphoras (can’t remember) and re-realized after 9years of cellar-aging. Still youthful if you believe the winemaker it was beautiful after letting the bottle breath for a few hours. Concentrated but delicate.
Really surprised you didn't include Gran Enemigo! ... By FAR my non-right-bank CF go-to! Gualtallery 2013 and 2019 are in my cellar and a single bottle of El Cepillo cause it was cheap enough :)
Cabernet Franc is a cultivar that is on an upwards trajectory in the wine world, as it is starting to emerge from the shadows of its child, CS. This was a great tasting, showing the many nuances and sides of CF. It was surprising that a CF from Mendoza scored the highest, but "traditional" terroirs don't always produce the best examples. I do enjoy CF from different parts of the world, but in Asian markets it doesn't have the same cachet of CS, so not so readily available. But the region I am most familiar with is Villany in Hungary, where the CF produces more medium to full bodied styles, with dark fruits, but well-balanced and savory. The 2017 vintage seems better than the 2018, but I think with time the picture will be clearer.
I can’t recall the last time I drank a Cabernet Franc that I knew was Cabernet Franc. Probably had it in a blend but if I’ve never had it unblended in my life (over 62 years) I would not be surprised!
I have been a follower of Ch de Villeneuve (Saumur-Champigny) since the early 1990's - a superb example of CF and well on a par with those from Guiberteau.
I absolutely love cab franc.. Sometimes those herbaceouse notes can get out of hand but when kept in balance,it adds a nice character. I am impressed with some of the cheaper offerings CGR (Chevalier du grand robert ) has one for 12 bucks at kroger that is not bad.. It is young,rough and rustic but quite nice,especially when you consider the price.
Thanx Konstantin! One of my favorite underestimate wine! Recently found very funny Spanish CabFranc named “Hello World” its surprisingly interesting- put 2 box in my cellar
As a French living in Nantes my favourite CF would be Château la Grille,Chinon. At around 20€ i would say that its not cheap for the region, but it is really good.
Perhaps coincidence, but I had a glass of Hungarian CF over Xmas, I don't know if it was Villany region as mentioned in comments, but it was well worth the drinking. Thanks for this in depth Cab Franc piece! Nice one Konstantin. 🍷⭐👍
Love Cab Franc! I have had really good experiences from the Loire and Argentina. I have also enjoyed it in the Finger Lakes. Not too long ago just out of curiosity tasted a 10yr old Finger Lake Cab Franc ( magnum) which was delicious. I have also had the chance to visit the Finger Lakes and to me it stands out as a US wine region. More ppl should visit it...or not
Not my favourite variety but can be delicious, Canada has some great examples from Niagara and Okanagan, Burrowing Owl in particular produces age-worthy Cab Franc. I opened a 2014 last year that was decadent and could still improve with time.
We, me and my girlfriend love Cabernet Franc! The Paleo has a very special meaning to us, so really exciting seeing it in your screen! As everyone else is mentioning the grand enemigo from the various vineyards are also wonderful! Give Paleo another chance in the future, i am still saving some bottles for the future (and if not more for me) .😉
Thank you so much for doing a special one on cabernet franc, a varietal that until now has been so under-rated. You describe it perfectly, I love the analogy with pinot noir, which at first sounds ridiculous, but I have felt the same for a while. It's a light body wine but with amazing finesse. I love it especially in the summer, when you want something light and versatile. I also tend to compare it with barbera. And I am so glad you picked a NY wine, the state makes amazing cabernet franc, including in Long Island.
There are excellent Cab Francs coming from CANADA as well! (Icellars, Thirty Bench, Ravine Vineyards in Niagara On The Lake; Lacey Estates in Prince Edward County, Ontario; Painted Rock, CedarCreek & Corcelettes in Okanagan & Similkameen Valley, BC)
Cabernet Franc has become my new favorite wine. There’s a clean fruit taste that is so refreshing. The nose on the Cabernet Francs that I’ve smelled are beautifully floral. And I would agree in saying that some of them are reminiscent of Pinot Noir.
Recently tasted CF from Kazakhstan, Arba Winery) It was kind of what you expected from particular grape variety in Loire - red fruits, bell pepper and elegant body)
КФ от Арбы ещё не пробовал - лежит в погребе винтаж 2014. Думаю распечатать ближе к весне, наверное. От Арбы пил Саперави и ПН - шикарнейшие вина. Даже не думал, что в Казахстане есть виноделие такого уровня.👍
Love that CF from Garage Wine - Maule valley. I like CF from Loire too, I've tried some Chinon lovely. From my country (Chile) I also recommend Tabi Vetas Blancas (Limarí D.O) for a "Loire" style, and Valdivieso Single Vineyard CF (Sagrada familia D.O)
Awesome, love seeing this highlight. I've really enjoyed the Chinons that I've picked up over the past year or so, they punch way above their price point
We have some beautiful CF here in Virginia, though those wines may br quite hard for you to source in Deutschland. Time for a trip to the Monticello AVA... I kid of course. Loved this tasting!
Wow! I really rate this your best review yet! 7 amazing cab francs from around the world, you make each sound delicious! I found your ratings helpful - cab franc is one of my go to single varietals + of course I drink plenty in Bordeaux blends. I will look out for South Africa, that sounds up my street for sure - I enjoyed a cab franc 2018 from Argentine recently, dark damson tart with big integrity + I love a Saumur early Spring, perhaps with sliced strawberries. Very enjoyable + well presented highlighting a very forgotten grape
Cabernet Franc has a lot of interesting iterations. My two favorites are Zuccardi Q from Argentina and a Blanc de Noir Cabernet Franc from Halcyon in California. Both mindblowing in different ways. Was excited to see the Catena in the lineup!
Your analysis of paleo is bang on. I really started to dislike paleo, as I think the producer insists on murdering the grapes with all the new oak. If you want to drink liquid wood, buy paleo... cabernet franc does not digest new wood very well, why can't they understand that. Fyi, paleo does not subtantially improve with age, as the fruit never succeeds in absorbing the wood. Cheers and keep up the good work,
Where I currently reside it is unlikely that I would find a wine made from this particular grape but I will keep my eyes open anyway. Thanks for another entertaining and informative video.
A small college town in the middle of the Ozarks in Missouri. No wine shops. There is a drug store with some decent average wines along with a Walmart and a grocery store with a few decent wines. There is an Aldi but I have never been to it so I don't know what they might carry. Last year I lived in Rochester NY where there was a vast selection of wines from cheap to unaffordable but this town is much more beer-centric. @@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine
Great video as usual. I actualy tasted a few of these wines myself and I've had the same impressions. The most memorable Cabernet Franc that I've drank until today is the Tolaini Cabernet Franc. A friend once brought it to our blind tasting group and everyone had it in first place. It is a perfect 100 point wine in my humble opinion. The only downsides are the pretty heavy pricetag and the availabilty. Tolaini produces only around 600 bottles of their cabernet franc.
I've had a Merlot blended with Cabernet Franc in a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru which is a solid red wine! It even converted my sibling to drinking red wines! I'm from the midwest of the US so I found a locally made Kansas Cabernet Franc (13.6% ABV) and I will be drinking that bottle at some point. Haven't bought anyone other Cabernet Francs but I look forward to doing so in the near future!
had a tasting with Christian Tschida two days ago and his Cab Franc is mind-blowing, especially when he took his first parcel from his neighbour. that neighbour thought the 'Merlot' he was producing was way too vegetal and peppery - we now know why !
One of the best Francs I've tasted was a local Croatian wine while staying in Split a few years ago. Really very good indeed but can't for the life of me remember who the producer was.
I happened to try the Bodegas Fabre 'Alta Yarí Gran Corte'. A Cabernet Franc dominant blend with Malbec and a tiny bit of Cab Sav. Really beautifully made wine!
Just had some delicious Cab Franc at the FIU Miami American Wine tasting. New York: Chateau Niagara Appassimento2022 Texas: Becker Vineyards Reserve 2019 Sonoma Chalk Hill: Taddei Wines Tu Es Belle 2021 But my favorite Cabernet Franc comes from Sicily: Wiegner Wine Artemisio
Great video and attitude, as always. What I am missing here and actually surprising and actually strange is that from the Loire you included only a "modest" yett fine Guibertau, and no wine from the best plots in the world for Cab Franc, such as Grand Mont from Bourgueil or Coteau de Noiré from Chinon. This would have added even mor depth to this great lineup and also better matched the best wine from the other regions. Nonetheless, very surprising and eclectic wines from new regions which made this tasting fascinating.
Great video! I've been drinking a lot of Cab Franc lately so I appreciate you introducing new wines to try. I drink it for the exactly the same reaons you highlight: low alcohol and fresh. It's a great wine with light meals. Most of the Cab Franc I drink are South American.
We have a lot of wineries here in NC and while we have only a small % that make good wines (do to a variety of factors - unwillingness to age properly, a penchant for local grapes which, frankly suck & trying to grow things they shouldn't.) Here we seem to be able to make good Italian varieties, Chards and Vigioniers and Cab Franc. I would encourage you to check some out. Like the Finger Lakes wine, our Reds always seem quite young and fruit forward & maybe that is because you get very little tannins in the wines here as well.
Has to be one of my top 5 reds........and if I could only drink one red forever, and pinot noir was not an option, it would be Cab Franc. Imho, the most versatile, immediate and age worthy drinking, and the best QPR. My favorites have always come from Loire.......when I hear the words cab franc, I automatically think Chinon. Finger Lakes is legit!.......along with Riesling the region makes solid cab franc!. I've never had any from South Africa, but that one sounds the most appealing to me. Tabacco, peppers, "edgy", juicy, sign me up! 😋🍷🍷
My introduction to CF was actually somewhat through you! I think it was in your video on Malbec that you tasted El Enemigo Malbec. At my local wine retailer, they only had their Chardonnay and their CF, so we got a bottle of each and loved the CF so much that it is now in our regular haul.
Excellent vid as usual. All my experience with CF has been good, just v occasionally can be a bit grassy. Chiron by Joguet and Bourgueil Chesnaies both excellent and old vintages of the latter standing up well. And I once had - wait for it - Cheval Blanc 1947, by mistake as the provider thought it was another vintage. To say it was wonderful is an understatement!
Great Video and Tasting. I expected, to be honest a higher Rating from your Side for the Paleo ;-) but I appreciate in that an honest rating and explaning why you you rate here lower then Parker. My personal favourite for a Cabernet Franc is the 2013 Matarocchio from Guado al Tasso and the 2018 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard - Mendoza Adrianna Catena. Both are absolutely great Ones
Cabernet Franc is great cause it also offer excellent QPR. Had what I believed to be a world class wine from the Loire for just $30! And it’s a good match for a variety of foods.
I’ve had the Garage Cabernet franc many times always enjoyed it, can’t seem to get hold of it at the moment, will keep an eye open for some of the others
It´s been a while that I recognized argentinian CF as a variety that might beat Malbec, not in power, but in elegance. I like Angelica very much, but also Pequeñas Producciones and Gran Enemigo(which already got 100 points from Parker)
Thanks again Konstantin. Would have liked to see your opinion of Zucchardi’s Cabernet Franc from Argentina and Monte Xanic’s expression as well from Mexico.
I loved the video, but I noticed you didn't rate the 2021 Osmote Seneca Lake. If you don't mind trying to recall months ago, what would you rate it? I am from New York and am looking to take a trip to the Finger Lakes soon this summer!
I planted a few CabFr vines a few years ago, my expectation was that they would struggle in Italy, but so far i am reasnibly happy. From my point of view, i am more interested in finding varieties that are disease resistant, and in general i find classic French varieties to be tougher than some of my local varieties. I am hoping it will complement my Barbera and Melot.
I loved Paleo from the difficult 2014 vintage, i tasted it last year, and it had aged beautifully. I also loved 2017 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary. Robust cab franc.
Being Argentinian loved to see Catena's Angelica Zapata here. Even if the world knows us for Malbec, Alejandro Vigil is a Cab Franc specialist and the Cab Francs he does are among the best in the world I would dare to say, this Angelica but mostly the Enemigo/Gran Enemigo which are just stunning (the Gran Enemigo CF Gualtallary got 100 points in the 2013 and 2019 vintages for example). Cheers!
Well now I need this wine to literally the other side of the world 😂
I love Catena Malbec. I'm sure I've literally emptied a hundred bottles or so. I would love to try their Cab. Franc.
Viva la Cabernet Franc, carajo!
Maquis Cab Franc from Chile is fantastic as well and very affordable!
Renacer R Cabernet Franc from Argentina is also amazing!
Loving the Finger Lakes wines on here!
Incredible cab franc up there. Shaw vineyards… simply the best
@@bigfella3411 Like most wines, much of it comes down to the skill of the winemaker. The amount of Cab Franc produced in the Finger Lakes is quite large but few know what to do with it. Some of the worst Cab Franc I ever had came from the Finger Lakes on Seneca. Many of them just grow it for the sake of growing it, it seems. However, you've got Fox Run making excellent port-styles out of Cab Franc and now I hear that on the opposite bank, Wagner is dropping the gauntlet and releasing a single-vineyard Cab Franc from 2022. It's gutsy. We'll see how it goes. But winemakers have a way to go rehabilitating the reputation of Cab Franc and its far from guaranteed.
The aroma of Cabernet Franc always reminds me of wine bars/cafes in Paris. Chinon, Saumur Champigny, Anjou etc.
I’ve had the Damascene and was very impressed.
One of my favourite red varieties and it keeps getting better and better.
Konstantin, thank you so much for the special tasting of Cabernet Franc! It's one of my favorite red grape varieties, alongside Pinot Noir and Syrah. I'm delighted to see that all the wines in your lineup scored 90 or above. It would have been interesting to include a few more Old World wines, like Philippe Alliet or Olga Raffault, or New World Cabernet Francs, such as Enemigo/Gran Enemigo, in the tasting.
I really recommend tasting some CF from Villány, Hungary. It produces great wines, especially from producers like Attila Gere, Jammertal wine estate, Sauska or József Bock. It is said that CF found its new home in Villány, and the region has been focusing on it as the main variatel.
That's why CF grown in Villany is also known as Villany Franc. Bottoms up
@@Adrian802 Villany Franc is not any Cabernet Franc from Villany. It's Super Premium level.
Adding my disappointment there weren't any Villányi Francs included in this tasting. Would be nice to see some in future tastings.
yes, such a shame that hungarian wines are pretty much never included anywhere, and especially this time for Cabernet Franc when Villany is said to be one of the best places to grow it along with the region handling the grape as its flagship and for a good reason.
Btw Villanyi Franc does not mean it can only be super premium. It is the top category within the brand, but there can also be "just" premium Villanyi Francs too. Different criterias for different classifications, similarly to Bikaver.
Recently went to Hungary and loved the cab franc but can’t find Hungarian wines in the US
I love El Enemigo Cabernet Franc from Mendoza Argentina.
Bingo! Same, INSANE value for money.
Yeah, I was surprised it wasn’t in the lineup for this video, seems almost unavoidable.😊
@@baggrabb Well, the Angelica CF is made by the same guy behind El Enemigo (Ale Vigil). Catena being his primary employer, he's been their chief winemaker for years
As an upstate (outside the NYC metro area) New Yorker, I've been waiting to see a Finger Lakes wine make an appearance. I was surprised that a Cab Franc made an appearance before a Riesling. My favorite Cab Franc from that region is the Cab Franc Barrel Select from Domaine Leseurre. Their run of varietals is much more reminiscent of old world wines than other wineries in the area. I love the sharing of knowledge that Konstantin provides. I find his ratings line up much more with reality than a lot of other raters. Cheers!
Edit: I rewatched the Rieslings from around the world video and have no idea how I missed Red Newt Cellars grom Hector, NY when I watched that vid.
I tasted an excellent Riesling in my video about Rieslings from around the world.
@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine I definitely missed that video. Time to scour your back-catalog for missed episodes.
Was hoping to see a Cab Franc from Hungary... they are making some outstanding examples over there. Great video!
Something from the Finger Lakes, all right! 👍👍
I’ve had some amazing Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes! Also from just across the border in Canada believe it or not.
Love the 2019 Chateau Jean Faure - even now so drinkable - looking forward to see how it develops. Thank you for your great and informative videos
Nice to see Ben's Cab Franc, from Osmote Winery in the NY Finger Lakes. He makes some fantastic wines! I worked at a local Tasting Room and his wines were popular there. Ben has a good feel for creating Chardonnay's too-and his Rosé is amazing, even though I am not normally a Rosé fan, my sister and I both love that one. Ben's grandfather (our neighbor) used to make red wine in his basement-so family tradition carried on. I was too young to taste his wine, but I sure ate a lot of his grapes! 😁
Philippe Alliet in Chinon is my go-to when it comes to Cab Franc. But I definitely love the versatility this variety can offer, especially in cooler, fresher examples.
One of the best wines i had last year was a cab franc dominant blend from South africa... Taaibosch crescendo. Love Riesling from the finger lakes, guess I'll be hunting some CF as well now.
I just love how Cab Franc expresses itself in the Bordeaux blends. It's so intense and perfumey, that it always sticks out, even in very small proportions. Fun fact: one of my friends brought a bottle of Lanessan at a tasting once and we served it blind. I didn't guess Bordeaux but I guessed the Franc. Only 6% of the final blend, but its perfume was sooo obvious in there. Alongside Cheval Blanc, Figeac is another famous St. Emilion that uses Cab Franc quite a lot. But the amazing Lafleur must be the most iconic wine in Bordeaux that heavily relies on Cab Franc.
Chinon and Bourgueil have been my go-to red wines for a while. They're unpretentious, rarely overbearing, perfect with both simple and elaborate food. I am curious about CF from other regions. I tasted a terrific vintage of Paleo a few years ago. I think it was the 2007. At $150 per bottle, I thought it was reasonably price, but a more recent vintage was disappointing. I have a couple of bottles of the 2019 in the cellar. Based on your evaluation I'll let them rest for some years. Thanks for pointing me to Guiberteau, which I will try to get a hold of. None of the other bottles are available where I live.
Thanks for mentioning the background/story of the winery & a brief on the vinification technics for each wine. It’s so helpful to help understand wine along with the tasting notes.
Mendoza is producing incredible CF. It could overtake Malbec in complexity. Love them!
Very nice that you score 95 pts on a 20 US dollars wine - that’s the price not in Argentina , where is even cheaper , but here in Brazil ! We have to value more the wines from Salta, Mendoza , and Patagonia . They are oustanding ! Cheers !
Cabernet Franc is one of my favorite red grape varieties of late. Feel like it's my gateway drug from preferring lighter bodied reds typical of Sangiovese to wines that tend to have more grip and body.
Sangiovese lighter than Cab Franc? Not so sure... especially in the montalcino/montepulciano area ;)
@@jimmyspinelli not necessarily lighter. They're both light, but I feel most of the CF wines I have are more tannic than the Sangiovese wines. Might be a mistake of my palette or just the styles of wines I typically procure.
You could be forgiven for mistaking a Cabernet Franc for a Chianti
Glad you liked the Osmote bottle Konstantin, I live nearby and fell in love with their red pet-nat last summer, they're destined for greatness I'm sure!
I've had at least several Cab. Francs. I really enjoy Catena's malbec, so after your tasting of their Cab. Franc, I ordered 3 bottles from an online retailer. I always appreciate your videos. Cheers.
Konstantin, that was very informative. I will start trying Cabernet Franc. Thank you!
Cabernet Franc is also grown exceptionally well just north of the Finger Lakes in the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario. Check out Domaine Queylus (I happen represent them in Southwest Ontario so let me know if you want some :) all bias aside they are excellent) or Thirty Bench Winery. Both have won awards for their Cabernet Franc wines. Cheers!
This! Ontario Cab Francs RULE. And Queylus is great… I drank several cases of their Cab Franc during the pandemic
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finger Lakes Region getting respect! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Konstantin for featuring a wine from the Finger Lakes. Some great things happening there.
Love Cab Franc, especially for its unique nose, which contributes so much for top Bordeaux blends. Enjoyed many excellent Chinon over the years and was a bit surprised you did not have one one this lineup. Thanks for another interesting vid, Master!
Thanks for sharing!
Last couple of years I regularly (2/3 times a year) drink the El Enemigo cabernet franc with great pleasure. This video convinced me to try more cab franc in 2024.
Excellent review , love CF from the Loire now that Burgundy has gone stratospheric in price . Will try to source some from other regions now.
True!
I’m good friends with the directrice technique at Chateau Jean Faure. She was super happy to be featured in this video 🎉
My absolute fave for years.
I live near the Finger Lakes so Cab Franc is one of my favorites (along with dry Riesling and dry Gewurztraminer). The fresh acidity of Cab Franc from cold weather regions just makes it lively and wonderful.
I have never been to Osmote but will have to try it. If you come to the Finger Lakes (and you should!) I can send you some recommendations and perhaps meet up to share some of my amateur swill.
First experience of Cabernet Franc was M de Mulonniere-exquisite. Thank you for this channel, I’m learning so much!
I’m all about that #cabernetfranc life!!!
About to open a 20 year old Bourgueil and stumbled on this video. Great pairing!
Hi. I’m a recent addition to your followers. Dutchie who grew up in France in the Cahors region, always liked wine but got more in too it since I manage at a vineyards restaurant in New Zealand, Waiheke island. Love your content, and have bing watched it all over and over again.
Got a few cab francs aging away in my collection but the best one I drank and can remember being a cab franc is the Jurassic Ridge 100% cab franc from 2010. It’s also of Waiheke island, fermented or Aged in amphoras (can’t remember) and re-realized after 9years of cellar-aging. Still youthful if you believe the winemaker it was beautiful after letting the bottle breath for a few hours. Concentrated but delicate.
One can't make a really great Cabernet Franc set without a bottle from Villany, Southern Hungary :)
yes, i had one from Villany has a falcon or eagle on the bottle....they even sold it at the duty free at the airport in Budapest.
Really surprised you didn't include Gran Enemigo! ... By FAR my non-right-bank CF go-to!
Gualtallery 2013 and 2019 are in my cellar and a single bottle of El Cepillo cause it was cheap enough :)
I have tasted some of their wines on the channel already. I guess that is why Leon left them out.
Cabernet Franc is a cultivar that is on an upwards trajectory in the wine world, as it is starting to emerge from the shadows of its child, CS. This was a great tasting, showing the many nuances and sides of CF. It was surprising that a CF from Mendoza scored the highest, but "traditional" terroirs don't always produce the best examples.
I do enjoy CF from different parts of the world, but in Asian markets it doesn't have the same cachet of CS, so not so readily available. But the region I am most familiar with is Villany in Hungary, where the CF produces more medium to full bodied styles, with dark fruits, but well-balanced and savory. The 2017 vintage seems better than the 2018, but I think with time the picture will be clearer.
I can’t recall the last time I drank a Cabernet Franc that I knew was Cabernet Franc. Probably had it in a blend but if I’ve never had it unblended in my life (over 62 years) I would not be surprised!
I have been a follower of Ch de Villeneuve (Saumur-Champigny) since the early 1990's - a superb example of CF and well on a par with those from Guiberteau.
I absolutely love cab franc..
Sometimes those herbaceouse notes can get out of hand but when kept in balance,it adds a nice character.
I am impressed with some of the cheaper offerings
CGR (Chevalier du grand robert ) has one for 12 bucks at kroger that is not bad..
It is young,rough and rustic but quite nice,especially when you consider the price.
Thanx Konstantin! One of my favorite underestimate wine! Recently found very funny Spanish CabFranc named “Hello World” its surprisingly interesting- put 2 box in my cellar
As a French living in Nantes my favourite CF would be Château la Grille,Chinon. At around 20€ i would say that its not cheap for the region, but it is really good.
Perhaps coincidence, but I had a glass of Hungarian CF over Xmas, I don't know if it was Villany region as mentioned in comments, but it was well worth the drinking.
Thanks for this in depth Cab Franc piece! Nice one Konstantin. 🍷⭐👍
Interesting!
I liked the El Enemigo from Argentina. They also produce a beautiful Chardonnay. Very good wine at modest prices
Love Cab Franc! I have had really good experiences from the Loire and Argentina. I have also enjoyed it in the Finger Lakes. Not too long ago just out of curiosity tasted a 10yr old Finger Lake Cab Franc ( magnum) which was delicious. I have also had the chance to visit the Finger Lakes and to me it stands out as a US wine region. More ppl should visit it...or not
Not my favourite variety but can be delicious, Canada has some great examples from Niagara and Okanagan, Burrowing Owl in particular produces age-worthy Cab Franc. I opened a 2014 last year that was decadent and could still improve with time.
Thanks for sharing!
We, me and my girlfriend love Cabernet Franc! The Paleo has a very special meaning to us, so really exciting seeing it in your screen! As everyone else is mentioning the grand enemigo from the various vineyards are also wonderful!
Give Paleo another chance in the future, i am still saving some bottles for the future (and if not more for me) .😉
Huge fan of Argentinian Cab Franc!
Nice timing. I just picked up a chinon and cab franc from Tuscany
Long Island gets overlooked in the cab franc conversation; the best stand up to Bordeaux.
Uuuh was für eine geile Transition
Pure Liebe 😂❤
Danke für die Lernpause ;)
Thank you so much for doing a special one on cabernet franc, a varietal that until now has been so under-rated. You describe it perfectly, I love the analogy with pinot noir, which at first sounds ridiculous, but I have felt the same for a while. It's a light body wine but with amazing finesse. I love it especially in the summer, when you want something light and versatile. I also tend to compare it with barbera. And I am so glad you picked a NY wine, the state makes amazing cabernet franc, including in Long Island.
Another great video. Love that the wines represent many different wine producing countries.
I sure hope so!!! This is my favorite varietal, which makes my taste in wine somewhat atypical.
Cabernet Franc is on the rise here in Brazil aswel, there are some great exemples on the "Vale dos Vinhedos" D.O.
There are excellent Cab Francs coming from CANADA as well! (Icellars, Thirty Bench, Ravine Vineyards in Niagara On The Lake; Lacey Estates in Prince Edward County, Ontario; Painted Rock, CedarCreek & Corcelettes in Okanagan & Similkameen Valley, BC)
Cabernet Franc has become my new favorite wine. There’s a clean fruit taste that is so refreshing. The nose on the Cabernet Francs that I’ve smelled are beautifully floral. And I would agree in saying that some of them are reminiscent of Pinot Noir.
Recently tasted CF from Kazakhstan, Arba Winery) It was kind of what you expected from particular grape variety in Loire - red fruits, bell pepper and elegant body)
КФ от Арбы ещё не пробовал - лежит в погребе винтаж 2014. Думаю распечатать ближе к весне, наверное.
От Арбы пил Саперави и ПН - шикарнейшие вина. Даже не думал, что в Казахстане есть виноделие такого уровня.👍
Love that CF from Garage Wine - Maule valley. I like CF from Loire too, I've tried some Chinon lovely. From my country (Chile) I also recommend Tabi Vetas Blancas (Limarí D.O) for a "Loire" style, and Valdivieso Single Vineyard CF (Sagrada familia D.O)
Awesome, love seeing this highlight. I've really enjoyed the Chinons that I've picked up over the past year or so, they punch way above their price point
We have some beautiful CF here in Virginia, though those wines may br quite hard for you to source in Deutschland.
Time for a trip to the Monticello AVA...
I kid of course. Loved this tasting!
:)
Wow! I really rate this your best review yet! 7 amazing cab francs from around the world, you make each sound delicious! I found your ratings helpful - cab franc is one of my go to single varietals + of course I drink plenty in Bordeaux blends. I will look out for South Africa, that sounds up my street for sure - I enjoyed a cab franc 2018 from Argentine recently, dark damson tart with big integrity + I love a Saumur early Spring, perhaps with sliced strawberries. Very enjoyable + well presented highlighting a very forgotten grape
I love Cab Franc but it's been years since I've found it on a store shelf in my rural area 😪
Cabernet Franc has a lot of interesting iterations. My two favorites are Zuccardi Q from Argentina and a Blanc de Noir Cabernet Franc from Halcyon in California. Both mindblowing in different ways. Was excited to see the Catena in the lineup!
Your analysis of paleo is bang on. I really started to dislike paleo, as I think the producer insists on murdering the grapes with all the new oak. If you want to drink liquid wood, buy paleo... cabernet franc does not digest new wood very well, why can't they understand that. Fyi, paleo does not subtantially improve with age, as the fruit never succeeds in absorbing the wood. Cheers and keep up the good work,
$8.99 Chinon from Aldi. Excellent value. Good midweek food wine.
Where I currently reside it is unlikely that I would find a wine made from this particular grape but I will keep my eyes open anyway. Thanks for another entertaining and informative video.
Where are you based? Kiloreen?
A small college town in the middle of the Ozarks in Missouri. No wine shops. There is a drug store with some decent average wines along with a Walmart and a grocery store with a few decent wines. There is an Aldi but I have never been to it so I don't know what they might carry. Last year I lived in Rochester NY where
there was a vast selection of wines from cheap to unaffordable but this town is much more beer-centric.
@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine
Great video as usual. I actualy tasted a few of these wines myself and I've had the same impressions. The most memorable Cabernet Franc that I've drank until today is the Tolaini Cabernet Franc. A friend once brought it to our blind tasting group and everyone had it in first place. It is a perfect 100 point wine in my humble opinion. The only downsides are the pretty heavy pricetag and the availabilty. Tolaini produces only around 600 bottles of their cabernet franc.
I've had a Merlot blended with Cabernet Franc in a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru which is a solid red wine! It even converted my sibling to drinking red wines! I'm from the midwest of the US so I found a locally made Kansas Cabernet Franc (13.6% ABV) and I will be drinking that bottle at some point. Haven't bought anyone other Cabernet Francs but I look forward to doing so in the near future!
The best Franc I've had was from Cab House in Paso Robles. Absolutely beautiful wine
had a tasting with Christian Tschida two days ago and his Cab Franc is mind-blowing, especially when he took his first parcel from his neighbour. that neighbour thought the 'Merlot' he was producing was way too vegetal and peppery - we now know why !
One of the best Francs I've tasted was a local Croatian wine while staying in Split a few years ago. Really very good indeed but can't for the life of me remember who the producer was.
I happened to try the Bodegas Fabre 'Alta Yarí Gran Corte'. A Cabernet Franc dominant blend with Malbec and a tiny bit of Cab Sav. Really beautifully made wine!
👍 one of my favorite varietals
Just had some delicious Cab Franc at the FIU Miami American Wine tasting.
New York: Chateau Niagara Appassimento2022
Texas: Becker Vineyards Reserve 2019
Sonoma Chalk Hill: Taddei Wines Tu Es Belle 2021
But my favorite Cabernet Franc comes from Sicily:
Wiegner Wine Artemisio
Great video and attitude, as always. What I am missing here and actually surprising and actually strange is that from the Loire you included only a "modest" yett fine Guibertau, and no wine from the best plots in the world for Cab Franc, such as Grand Mont from Bourgueil or Coteau de Noiré from Chinon. This would have added even mor depth to this great lineup and also better matched the best wine from the other regions. Nonetheless, very surprising and eclectic wines from new regions which made this tasting fascinating.
Great video! I've been drinking a lot of Cab Franc lately so I appreciate you introducing new wines to try. I drink it for the exactly the same reaons you highlight: low alcohol and fresh. It's a great wine with light meals. Most of the Cab Franc I drink are South American.
Excellent review of this widely grown varietal. 🏅
Glad you liked it!
We have a lot of wineries here in NC and while we have only a small % that make good wines (do to a variety of factors - unwillingness to age properly, a penchant for local grapes which, frankly suck & trying to grow things they shouldn't.) Here we seem to be able to make good Italian varieties, Chards and Vigioniers and Cab Franc. I would encourage you to check some out. Like the Finger Lakes wine, our Reds always seem quite young and fruit forward & maybe that is because you get very little tannins in the wines here as well.
Has to be one of my top 5 reds........and if I could only drink one red forever, and pinot noir was not an option, it would be Cab Franc. Imho, the most versatile, immediate and age worthy drinking, and the best QPR. My favorites have always come from Loire.......when I hear the words cab franc, I automatically think Chinon.
Finger Lakes is legit!.......along with Riesling the region makes solid cab franc!. I've never had any from South Africa, but that one sounds the most appealing to me. Tabacco, peppers, "edgy", juicy, sign me up! 😋🍷🍷
My introduction to CF was actually somewhat through you! I think it was in your video on Malbec that you tasted El Enemigo Malbec. At my local wine retailer, they only had their Chardonnay and their CF, so we got a bottle of each and loved the CF so much that it is now in our regular haul.
Excellent vid as usual.
All my experience with CF has been good, just v occasionally can be a bit grassy. Chiron by Joguet and Bourgueil Chesnaies both excellent and old vintages of the latter standing up well. And I once had - wait for it - Cheval Blanc 1947, by mistake as the provider thought it was another vintage. To say it was wonderful is an understatement!
My favorite grape!
Great Video and Tasting. I expected, to be honest a higher Rating from your Side for the Paleo ;-) but I appreciate in that an honest rating and explaning why you you rate here lower then Parker. My personal favourite for a Cabernet Franc is the 2013 Matarocchio from Guado al Tasso and the 2018 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard - Mendoza
Adrianna Catena. Both are absolutely great Ones
Cabernet Franc is great cause it also offer excellent QPR. Had what I believed to be a world class wine from the Loire for just $30! And it’s a good match for a variety of foods.
I’ve had the Garage Cabernet franc many times always enjoyed it, can’t seem to get hold of it at the moment, will keep an eye open for some of the others
I like a fresh Cab Franc, and some local producers here in Canada make some good ones, at good prices. Cave Springs, in particular.
It´s been a while that I recognized argentinian CF as a variety that might beat Malbec, not in power, but in elegance. I like Angelica very much, but also Pequeñas Producciones and Gran Enemigo(which already got 100 points from Parker)
The most underrated variety. Nothing better than a Clos Rougeard from Loire Valley
Clos Rougeard is definitely not underrated :)
🇬🇷 Cava Amethystos from Lazaridi and Opous Iv from Hatzimichalis are great examples of qualitative Cabernet Franc
Thanks again Konstantin. Would have liked to see your opinion of Zucchardi’s Cabernet Franc from Argentina and Monte Xanic’s expression as well from Mexico.
NEW YORK LETS GO!
My fav red grape variety ❤
Totally agree, as an amateur wine maker, been using CF from Washington State, and it's delicious
I have been a fan of Cab Franc for a number of years. Thanks for the video, I'm interested in trying some of the lighter styles. I'm thirsty!
I loved the video, but I noticed you didn't rate the 2021 Osmote Seneca Lake. If you don't mind trying to recall months ago, what would you rate it? I am from New York and am looking to take a trip to the Finger Lakes soon this summer!
Supported by market data as well: olga raffault les picasses used to be $19 at the shop near me a few years back - now it is mid $40s!
I planted a few CabFr vines a few years ago, my expectation was that they would struggle in Italy, but so far i am reasnibly happy. From my point of view, i am more interested in finding varieties that are disease resistant, and in general i find classic French varieties to be tougher than some of my local varieties. I am hoping it will complement my Barbera and Melot.
I loved Paleo from the difficult 2014 vintage, i tasted it last year, and it had aged beautifully. I also loved 2017 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary. Robust cab franc.
Thanks for sharing!
My favourite CF is Burnier from swiss winemaker in Russia.