Cabernet Franc Wine Guide
Discover Cabernet Franc, the elegant parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn about Loire Valley expressions, Bordeaux blending, and its herbaceous charm.
Characteristics
- Medium body with fine-grained tannins
- Flavors of raspberry, red currant, bell pepper, and graphite
- Distinctive herbaceous, slightly savory character
- Bright acidity with silky, aromatic finesse
Key Regions
Food Pairings
- Roasted lamb with herbs
- Duck confit and duck breast
- Grilled vegetables and ratatouille
- Aged goat cheese
Serving Temperature
58-63°F (14-17°C)
The Elegant Parent
Cabernet Franc is one of the most underappreciated red grapes in the world. As a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (crossed naturally with Sauvignon Blanc), it shares some family traits — structure, dark fruit, herbal notes — but delivers them with a lighter touch and a distinctive aromatic finesse. In the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc stands alone as a pure varietal, producing some of France’s most elegant and terroir-driven reds.
Tasting Cabernet Franc
Classic Flavors
- Fruit: Raspberry, red currant, strawberry, dark cherry
- Secondary: Bell pepper, violet, graphite, crushed herbs
- With age: Tobacco, cedar, dried leaves, truffle
On the Palate
Medium-bodied with moderate, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. The herbaceous, slightly savory character sets it apart from its offspring Cabernet Sauvignon. Well-made examples are silky and aromatic rather than powerful.
World Regions
Loire Valley, France
Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny produce the benchmark varietal Cabernet Franc. These wines showcase the grape’s pure character: red fruit, graphite, and a signature minerality from the tuffeau limestone soils.
Bordeaux, France
In Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, Cabernet Franc is a crucial blending partner (sometimes dominant, as in Cheval Blanc), adding aromatic complexity and freshness to Merlot-based wines.
Finger Lakes & Virginia, USA
North America’s cooler wine regions are producing increasingly impressive varietal Cabernet Franc with bright acidity and distinctive character.
Food Pairings
Cabernet Franc’s herbal notes and medium body make it ideal with:
- Roasted lamb with herbs de Provence
- Duck confit and duck breast
- Grilled vegetables and ratatouille
- Aged goat cheese
Aging Potential
Loire Cabernet Franc from top vintages can age gracefully for 10-15 years, developing truffle and tobacco complexity. Bordeaux Right Bank blends with significant Cabernet Franc age even longer.
Learn More with Sommo
Cabernet Franc is a chameleon — elegant in Chinon, structured in Pauillac, fruit-forward in Finger Lakes. Scan labels with Sommo to understand how region shapes this underrated grape and journal the styles you prefer.
