Cabernet Franc overview Cabernet Franc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon. It resembles Cabernet Sauvignon, but ripens earlier and is lower in tannins, acid, and extract. Although like Cabernet Sauvignon it does well on soils that warm up quickly, it also tolerates the cooler, less well-drained, clay-based soils of the Right Bank of Bordeaux. It is a vigorous variety that does best on rootstocks of moderate vigor. Four clones are commonly grown in France.
Locations for Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc is used in small amounts for blending on the Left Bank of Bordeaux and is a more important component on the Right Bank where it is grown rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. One notable wine that is largely based on Cabernet Franc (60%) is the famous St. Emilion, Cheval Blanc. Cabernet Franc is widely used in the Loire Valley, where it is able to ripen in the more Northerly climate (Cabernet Sauvignon would not be able to do so) and it is the basis for red wines such as Chinon. The wines may have a brilliant red color.
Growth of Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc is a lazy variety - early flowering but late to ripen, among the last in France. It is necessary to prune to control vigor. Cabernet Franc harvests 1-2 weeks after Merlot. It is more difficult to ripen in Bordeaux (although easier than Cabernet Sauvignon). It complements Merlot well on limestone and clay/limestone soils. It needs a good vintage to ripen fully (even at Cheval Blanc). It needs more water stress than Merlot except when grown on gravel; it produces less sugar, more acid, and less color than Merlot.
The taste of Cabernet Franc When Cabernet Franc does not ripen, it produces vegetal notes of pepper; at maturity it gives minerals, menthol, and red fruits. It contributes aroma, acidity, and tannin to the blend. At its best, it gives leafy, tobacco-like notes and can be quite dense and chewy. In Bordeaux, it contributes tobacco and cedar notes to the blend. Chinon shows chalky tannins, Saumur-Champigny is similar in style but a fraction lighter, Bourgueil is a bit lighter.
Cabernet Mitos
