Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is one of the major varieties of red wine grape in Bordeaux. It is mostly grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but is also vinified alone, particularly in Chinon in the Loire. It is even made into ice wine in Canada.

Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing finesse and a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes. Depending on growing region and the style of wine, additional aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, and cassis, sometimes even violets. The Cabernet franc wine’s color is bright pale red.
More information on Cabernet Franc
Food Pairing: Pairs well with autumn and winter vegetable stews and roasts. Cabernet Franc is perfect with an asparagus quiche, roasted vegetables or with braised lamb.
59 California Cabernet Franc
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Roudon-Smith Winery Rate this wine
2006 Cabernet Franc
Sundance Vineyards, Monterey

Bronze Medal from the
2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
The oak aromas and flavor have integrated very well with the overall character of the wine. Aroma of cherries, vanilla and lavender. Fruit up front with the oak carrying it to the finish line with lots of structure.		$20.00

Lucchesi Vineyards and Winery Rate this wine
2006 Cabernet Franc
Sierra Foothills

Fragrant violets and raspberries greet you with a swirl of the glass. Flavors of blueberry, cedar, and spice are carried by supple, finely textured tannin through to the long finish.		$24.00

278 cases produced
StoneFly vineyards 1 reviews
2006 Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

The StoneFly Vineyard 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc exhibits a dark, rich garnet color and an essence of black cherry with a hint of thyme. It has a peppery nose and a finish reminiscent of the classic Chinons of the Loire Valley.



There is a subtle flavor of cocoa as the wine opens up. It displays a medium body and a long smooth finish with supple tannins. Although it is drinking well now, it will continue to improve until 2011 with proper cellaring.		$29.00

Mount Palomar Winery Rate this wine
2003 Best of Vintage Cabernet Franc

For our BOV wines, we look for full body, rich flavors and a smooth palate. Our 2003 fits that bill. It is more full-bodied than typical Cabernet Franc, but shows its heritage with a perfumed nose of black plum, white pepper, tobacco, vanilla and a hint of blueberry. The same impressions carry through in the flavor. The wine has a warm impression and finishes soft and velvety. It has a very long aftertaste, which makes it a great wine for a special meal.
Cooper-Garrod Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc, Francville Vineyard
Santa Cruz Mountains

This wine is made from unblended, 100% estate-grown, cellared, and bottled grapes. Lovely garnet color. In the nose, lingonberries, carnberries and spice. The wine has as soft, smooth mouth-feel with raspberries, cranberries, allspice, and that telltale signature of briar that distinguishes Cabernet Franc. The finish is lovely and looooong. A wonderfully versatile wine that pairs nicely with a wide range of foods, including poultry, pork, lamb, and even some beef entrees!		$24.00

554 cases produced
Clos La Chance Wines Rate this wine
2005 Estate Cabernet Franc
Central Coast

Aromas of dark cherry, and cranberries, with a hint of cedar and fresh herbs. Soft, ripe stone fruits such as plums and cherries on the palate. Finishes with smooth tannins and hints of cassis and star anise. A good choice for those that enjoy the fruit of Cabernet Sauvignon without the heavier characteristics.		$30.00

Chappellet Vineyards Rate this wine
2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

From its evocative red berry, plum, tea and cedar aromatics to the rich, complexity of its finish, this age-worthy Cabernet Franc displays both refinement and complexity. The red berry aromatics are echoed on the palate by flavors of red currants and raspberry, accentuated by spicy green peppercorn notes and subtle hints of cocoa powder. A sophisticated wine from a cool vintage, this Cabernet Franc will continue to evolve and reward for years to come.		$65.00

Cass Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
Paso Robles

The Cabernet Franc was harvested late in the vintage at full ripeness. The longer hang time resulted in concentrated flavor and structure in the wine. The ferment was punched down up to 4 times per day and pumped over when necessary. After 16 months aging in the barrel, the wine also received half that time aging in the bottle to ensure a wine ready to be enjoyed upon release.		$42.00

Cass Winery Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Paso Robles

This Cabernet Franc was the last variety to be picked during the 2004 harvest. The longer hang time resulted in concentrated fruit without extremely high sugar − a nice characteristic of this variety. The fruit was originally contracted to a winery in Northern California and the fermentation was completed there in 1 ½ ton open top fermenters that were punched down 2 times per day. Subsequently, we negotiated to bring the wine back to Cass Winery where we barrel aged the wine 23 months and racked it after 16 months.		$42.00

Nichols Winery & Cellars Rate this wine
2000 Cabernet Franc
Cienega Valley

Winemaker says, oak, spice, cedar, chocolate, earth and fruit flavors; come across on the palate. Also fruit such as currant, black cherry, blueberry, and wild berries. It is integrated and layered with hints of caramel, smoke, and toast. It is complex, rich, and extremely well balanced. This Cabernet Franc is extremely elegant.		$30.00

Pretty-Smith Winery Rate this wine
2000 Cabernet Franc

*vintage closeout!*

made from 100% Pretty-Smith Cabernet Franc grapes, this wine is a beautiful garnet-red hue with black cherry, sage and oak aromas.		$15.00

Pretty-Smith Winery Rate this wine
2001 Cabernet Franc

made from 100% Pretty-Smith Cabernet Franc grapes, this wine is well balanced with a lovely violet nose and clove finish.		$24.00

Pretty-Smith Winery Rate this wine
2002 Cabernet Franc

made from 100% Pretty-Smith Cabernet Franc grapes, this medium bodied Franc is soft and fruity with a delightful spicy finish.		$24.00

Iverson Vineyards and Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
Fair Play

After 30 months in the barrel and a light blend of Cabernet Sauvignon we created a mouth full of flavors including raspberry, cherry, plum and strawberry with a soft and smooth finish. Wow. One of my favorites.		$24.00

Cerro Caliente Cellars Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Paso Robles/Herder Vineyards

One barrel held back just for this release! Aged 27 months before bottling. Aging has smoothed this wine to velvet. The nose is all Cabernet Franc has to offer, fully rounded with bright cherries showing through this elegant, exceptionally well-balanced wine. The finish never stops.		$32.00

Buttonwood Farm Winery Rate this wine
2003 Cabernet Franc
Santa Ynez Valley

Cabernet Franc grapes produce wine with distinctive herbaceous and spicy flavors. Those who appreciate its flavors exol its virtues and exhibit extreme loyalty and enthusiasm. Count Buttonwood among those franc aficionados- we even organize a "Franc Fest" dedicated to the wonderful qualities of Cabernet Franc. While we originally planted cabernet franc to blend with merlot, it's also a component of Trevin as well as this very Bordeaux-like varietal cabernet franc.



Cabernet Franc is the consummate food wine and pairs well with grilled foods of all kind- even smoked or grilled turkey.		$18.00

Burrell School Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Santa Cruz Mountains

Our second totally estate Cabernet Franc from our Pichon Vineyard, this brilliant and clear, gorgeous wine has elusive and shy perfume-tinted scents of rose petals, violets and a hint of pink peppercorns. On the palate it is clean, smooth, delecate and well-framed, like a prima ballerina. The earthy red fruits are lurking beneath the overwhelmingly floral presentation. The finish is devine, with just a hint of white pepper.		$40.00

Boeger Winery Rate this wine
2006 Cabernet Franc
El Dorado

Aromas: Typical Cab. Franc spice, strawberry, clove Flavors: Bright cherry fruit, cedar, clove, tobacco. Palate: Medium-bodied, well-structured tannin and subtle acidity. Aging Potential: 5-10 years		$15.00

Laguna Canyon Winery Rate this wine
2005 Late Harvest Cabernet Franc
Russian River Valley

Loaded with aromas of raspberry, violets, red currants and strawberry jam. Powerful raspberry flavors dominate this wine balanced with subtle hints of smoked French oak. Pairs excellent with dark forest cake or chocolate bonbons.		$38.00

Byington Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
Santa Cruz Mountains

This wine has charisma - fruity, velvety, and spicy all in one. The wine has a bay and wild sage aroma that reminds me of my childhood here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The palate has an interesting clove character balanced by elegant violet and raspberry notes. In my mind this wine is perfect, full of aroma and flavor, with a real sense of place. Most wines do not give you a complete sensory experience, but when you find one, it’s special and requires a special occasion to drink the wine. Whether your occasion is Easter dinner, or that it’s almost the weekend, sit back and take the time to enjoy this Cab Franc. I promise it will be worth it.		$37.00

Beaucanon Estate Rate this wine
2003 Cabernet Franc 'L Cuvee'
Napa Valley

2003 definitely started out with a whimper but September heat spikes and a long, cool autumn gave us low yields and well-developed flavors that made all the restless nights worthwhile. I think you'll find our latest Cabernet Franc will help to smooth away life's rough edges for you as well!
Like many wines of the 2003 vintage, our Cabernet Franc is delicious now but will be even better with a little more time in the bottle. This is a great selection for those wishing to build a cellar but don’t want to have to wait too long for their wines to mature to perfection.
For those who can’t resist the siren call and have to open a bottle right away, you will be rewarded by our boldest Cabernet Franc to date. The nose is pronounced, with lots of black fruit, sweet oak vanillin and hints of smoke and violet aromas that will certainly become more pronounced.
The first sip is a bit of a shock with bright acidity vying with prominent and gripping tannins but that quickly fades as juicy black cherry and red apple fruit comes to the fore. Accompanied by deeper notes of cocoa and brambly, cinnamon spice, this bottling of Cab Franc is definitely expressing some of the attributes the variet		$22.00

Arger-Martucci Vineyards Rate this wine
2003 Cabernet Franc
St. Helena

Our 2003 Cabernet Franc was harvested in late October from our hillside vineyards at 24.8 brix. Starting with color, this wine makes an immediate statement. Intense dark purple, bordering on black, one realizes this is going to be a “bold” wine. Aged in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, the bouquet is classic Cabernet Franc with nuances of black cherry and a hint of chocolate. Blended with 5% Merlot from the same vineyard, this wine is initially soft on the palate. The firm structure begins in the middle of the mouth and carries through to the finish where the intense Cabernet Franc flavors linger. The Hungarian and French oak adds just enough spice to give great complexity and a real “mouthful” of wine.		$65.00

Adobe Road Winery Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Knights Valley

This wine greets you with raspberry & lavender aromas with subtle mint undertones. Cocoa and licorice flavors, as well as black cherry and ripe berries are evident. This is a robust wine with zing, smooth tannins and a toasty finish.		$38.00

Bella Piazza Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
Sierra Foothills

Rich deep color. Spicy with flavors of black fruits.



This wine shows its heritage as one of the elite varietals from Bordeaux.		$25.00

Girard Winery Rate this wine
2003 Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

Evidenced by our 2002 vintage being named one of the Top 100 Wines of the Year by Wine & Spirits magazine, we take Cabernet Franc very seriously. We only bottle our Cabernet Franc during exceptional vintages and our 2003 vintage has met that standard of excellence. Full-bodied with forward fruit notes of blackberry, kirsch and blueberry, with baked winter spices and a pleasant hint of herbs. Only 380 cases were produced, and this wine sells out very quickly!		$40.00

380 cases produced
Terremoto Cellars Rate this wine
2005 Magnitude Cabernet Franc
Saunders' Vineyard - Oakville - Napa Valley

This bold offering from the red volcanic soils of Oakville’s eastern hillside vineyard lures you in with a delicate dance of fresh fruit and toasty perfumed vanilla. The seduction continues with the supple well integrated tannins and kiss of oak. It is irresistible now, but can easily be cellared for years to come if you can stand to do it. This wine pairs well with meaty and earthy dishes, yet provides an earth moving experience on its own.




2008 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition - Critics Platinum Award;




2008 International Eastern Wine Competition - Gold Medal;




2008 West Coast Wine Awards - Silver Medal;




2008 SF Chronicle Wine Competition - Bronze Medal		$37.50

Terremoto Cellars Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
North Coast

Our Cabernet Franc has fantastic fruit forward spicy cherry characteristic, well integrated tannins and a toasty hint of French Oak, which pairs well with a variety of dishes, from the finest steaks to the greatest pizza, yet provides an earth moving experience on its own.



2008 SF Chronicle Wine Competition - Bronze Medal;



2008 Grand Harvest Awards - Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine - Silver Medal		$10.50

Wilson Winery Rate this wine
2004 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Dry Creek Valley

Our 2004 Reserve Cabernet Franc has subtle aromas of berry fruit, cedar and toasty French oak. Softening tannins and vanillin oak frame flavors for blackberry, plum, dried herbs and cedar. Hints of tobacco, eucalyptus and chocolate round out the palate. The lovely finish lingers on, with each flavor making an appearance before it slips away. This limited production wine won't be around long, so be sure to get some to enjoy now and a bit more for your cellar to sip in the months to come.
Raymond Burr Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Dry Creek Valley

This wine exhibits a lovely floral, slightly dusty, spicy perfume nose. Dark ruby purple in hue, it is interwoven with cranberry, dark cherry and a hint of smoky oak. It is full bodied, lean and well structured. This wine will continue to age well for the next decade.		$38.00

Raymond Burr Vineyards Rate this wine
2003 Cabernet Franc
Dry Creek Valley

Lightly oaked with Brazil nut and spicy aromas, this wine has rich currant and wild blackberry fruit that firms up nicely on the finish.


Comprising just one-and-a-half acres of our estate vineyard, Raymond Burr Cabernet Franc is always in short supply. Fewer than 750 cases produced. Get yours before it's gone!		$38.00

750 cases produced
Callaway Winery Rate this wine
2004 Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Franc
Callaway Vineyard & Winery

The attractive aromas of this wine mingles spice, licorice, berries and oak. The deep, ruby red color is a prelude of the lush well-integrated red fruit flavors and are enhanced by a touch of licorice and a hint of chocolate and mint.		$38.00

Titus Vineyards Rate this wine
2005 Titus Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

This is a wine for all seasons. The extremely food friendly Cabernet Franc drinks like liquid cashmere. Phillip drinks this Titus wine the most describing the Cab Franc as soft, pleasant and drinkable - it just beckons another glass!		$34.00

Vineyard 29 Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc

The wine has an intense nose of chocolate and blackberries that is surprising in this varietal. These notes are continued on the palette and accompanied by a rich mouth feel, notes of vanilla, silky tannins and a long finish. If this wine were served blind, you would think it was a rich Bordeaux blend and not 100% Franc. We could not be happier with this first release.		$125.00

Naggiar Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc
California

Warm days, cool nights and unique soil conditions at our family estate vineyards in the Sierra Foothills have fashioned the premium grapes for this wine. Deep dark red in color, this wine has lovely aromas of ripe plums, blackberries with hints of coffee and cinnamon in the background. Soft tannins provide a long velvety finish which can be enjoyed alone or with lighter meat and chicken fare.		$23.00

Ravenswood Winery Rate this wine
2002 Cabernet Franc
Sonoma County

Although Cabernet Franc is often viewed as Cabernet Sauvignon's little brother, it's actually the father. Yes: Cabernet Sauvignon is the child of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, the primary grape in the great Bordeaux wines of St. Emilion. Widely employed in both France and California as a blending partner with its better-known son, when vinified separately — as this wine is, with fruit from Sonoma Valley, Rancho Salina and Pickberry — Cabernet Franc has an approachable elegance that sheer Cabernet Sauvignon lacks. Then there are its seductive overtones of raspberries, violets, olives and smoke. No worries: it's a compliment to mistake a parent for its own offspring.		$18.00

Elliston Vineyards Rate this wine
1999 Cabernet Franc
Elliston Vineyards

Rich ruby color and a nose of ripe Bing cherries and violets. Well-balanced with moderate tannins for structure. Grilled game, Gorgonzola cheese and dark chocolate provide excellent pairings.		$22.00

Watts Winery Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Lodi

Hugely distinctive mix of aromas, violets, blueberry and cassis. Ripe juicy flavors of blackberry jam, black currant and a spicy edge of vanilla, nutmeg and mint. This wine has concentrated color and intense flavors, yet soft and elegant texture, finishing with fruity-chocolate and white pepper traces. Luscious and delicious.
Carmody McKnight Estate Wines Rate this wine
Kathleen Estate Late Harvest Cabernet Franc

After dinner will never be the same!

Only one in the world! Its opulent harmony derives from the uniqueness of Cabernet Franc grown in the rare limestone and volcanic soils of Carmody McKnight Vineyards. Bursting from the glass is a focused flavor of honey-laced raspberry, characteristic of the varietal and superbly magnified in the late harvest. Loads of ripe, lush red fruit round out the experience with undertones of licorice, spice and seductive hints of wildflowers, leaving one to wonder if this is, indeed, the nectar of the Gods.
Carmody McKnight Estate Wines Rate this wine
2004 Estate Cabernet Franc

The brilliant garnet color heralds an alluring bouquet of raspberry, wild roses, maraschino cherries and a sensuous mouth feel of spice, mocha and black fruit preserves. Mixed cherry, mocha and wood nuances apparent on the finish. Excellent aging potential.
Homewood Winery Rate this wine
2005 Cabernet Franc

Jammy black fruits with some cinnamon		$24.00

St. Francis Winery Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
McCoy Vineyard, Sonoma County

The McCoy Vineyard has long been praised for grapes of intense flavors and concentrated aromas and the 2004 vintage is no exception. Perched along the western slopes of the Mayacamas Range, it overlooks northern Sonoma Valley, and is a lovely example of the varietal from a vineyard that has consistently provided St. Francis with exceptional fruit. Cabernet Franc ripens earlier and thrives in slightly cooler climates than its “sister” Cabernet Sauvignon. The small intensely flavorful clusters are hand-picked at a mature 25.5 Brix. A nice slow fermentation gives the wine richness and viscosity, and aging 24 months in both French and American oak has imparted a fullness to the wine’s mouthfeel. If you enjoy Cabernet Franc, this full-bodied vintage with notes of blackberry, cassis and leather will surely delight. Made in a very limited quantity, this single vineyard wine is available only at the Winery.		$45.00

Darioush Winery Rate this wine
2004 Signature Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

As a classic Bordeaux varietal, Cabernet Franc imparts such intensity of fruit and dark earthy components when blended into our Signature Cabernet Sauvignon. On its own, it possesses power with great poise. Alluring blueberry and cassis aromas mingle with earthy oolong tea, cinnamon and cigar box. This ripe, supple wine shows focused intensity with a long and lingering clove, licorice and spice finish.		$52.00

Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Santa Ynez Valley

Cabernet Franc is a very old variety which is still dominant in parts of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. This wine derives from grapes grown in our Valley View Vineyard, east of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley and was aged for 19 months in 1-5 year old French oak barrels. It exhibits aromas of blueberry, kirsch and black cherry with flavors of big, rich, dark, blackberry-raspberry jam followed by ripe, chewy tannins and a long rich finish.		$26.00

Witch Creek Winery Rate this wine
2004 Reserve Cabernet Franc
El Dorado

Big full bodied wine with dark berry flavors & hints of cocoa powder. Pair with roast, chops or a really good steak.		$20.00

Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Rate this wine
2002 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

77% Cabernet Franc and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, this medium-bodied limited edition wine is rich and ripe with blueberry, blackberry, lavender, fig, mocha, pepper and spicy cinnamon aromas followed by inviting fruit forward flavors of plum and cassis, clove, spicy earth and a hint of oak on the long, smooth finish. Well balanced with good structure and firm integrated tannins.		$25.00

Domenico Wines Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Amador County

Full-bodied with black cherry, plum, herbal spices and tobacco aromas. Herbal and dried cherry flavors. Pairs well with roasted meats, rack of lamb, and aged cheeses.
Cheapskate Wines 1 reviews
2003 Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc done right is perhaps the most elegant and profound of reds. Here is proof that California can offer rich fruit and ample structure as well. Joe Ramazotti’s living soil gave us full ripeness at moderate brix. There is no trace of the dry tannin and green flavors typical of this variety in circumstances of unmanaged canopy and lifeless soil. Instead the wine presents well-developed plum, sage and cinnamon flavors borne on a silky, chocolaty tannin structure. Joe’s benign vineyard practices stimulate the growth of earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi which permit trace mineral uptake by the vine. In consequence, the finish possesses a mineral energy usually unseen in cabernet franc outside the Loire.		$8.00

Ironstone Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Sierra Foothills

Elaborately crafted, the Reserve 2003 Cabernet Franc is filled with elegant oak aromas and spicy undertones that seduce the senses. Succulent, dark fruit flavors of sweet plum, black cherry with a hint of violet and oak fills the palate and gives way to a smooth, medium finish.		$28.00

Chappellet Vineyards Rate this wine
2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley

Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc is a traditional Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Franc at its base. The original vines were planted in 1989, making Cabernet Franc a relatively new addition to Pritchard Hill. This varietal thrives on the hill’s volcanic soils, where conditions are ideal for developing ripe, concentrated flavors. The wine was bottled after spending 18 months in French Oak barrels (60 % new)		$65.00

Oak Mountain Winery Rate this wine
2004 Cabernet Franc
Temecula

Cabernet Franc is one of the genetic parents of cabernet sauvignon (the other is sauvignon blanc). The flavors are that of raspberry, cherry, plum and strawberry. There is an aroma of violets, berries and oak. This wine goes exceptionally well with cheeses such as Gorgonzola, mild cheddar and gouda.		$25.00

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