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!

@Cloverdad

5 ай бұрын

Well now I need this wine to literally the other side of the world 😂

@gchomuk

5 ай бұрын

I love Catena Malbec. I'm sure I've literally emptied a hundred bottles or so. I would love to try their Cab. Franc.

@fabiomacedo1681

5 ай бұрын

Viva la Cabernet Franc, carajo!

@jeremygansler503

5 ай бұрын

Maquis Cab Franc from Chile is fantastic as well and very affordable!

@Grodan1904

5 ай бұрын

Renacer R Cabernet Franc from Argentina is also amazing!

Loving the Finger Lakes wines on here!

@bigfella3411

5 ай бұрын

Incredible cab franc up there. Shaw vineyards… simply the best

@c27433

2 ай бұрын

@@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.

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! 😁

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.

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

I tasted an excellent Riesling in my video about Rieslings from around the world.

@mr.cooper2031

5 ай бұрын

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine I definitely missed that video. Time to scour your back-catalog for missed episodes.

As we live near Angers, this is our local grape variety, and it is a pleasure to introduce this to our guests 90% of whom have never tasted this variety on it own, just as part of a blend of

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.

@Adrian802

5 ай бұрын

That's why CF grown in Villany is also known as Villany Franc. Bottoms up

@Skillividden

5 ай бұрын

@@Adrian802 Villany Franc is not any Cabernet Franc from Villany. It's Super Premium level.

@Sebike

5 ай бұрын

Adding my disappointment there weren't any Villányi Francs included in this tasting. Would be nice to see some in future tastings.

@LluckyStrikee

5 ай бұрын

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.

@janehedrick922

5 ай бұрын

Recently went to Hungary and loved the cab franc but can’t find Hungarian wines in the US

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 love El Enemigo Cabernet Franc from Mendoza Argentina.

@barath4545

5 ай бұрын

Bingo! Same, INSANE value for money.

@baggrabb

5 ай бұрын

Yeah, I was surprised it wasn’t in the lineup for this video, seems almost unavoidable.😊

@tweisbek2

5 ай бұрын

​@@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

Something from the Finger Lakes, all right! 👍👍

@user-vh5xd6sh8u

5 ай бұрын

I’ve had some amazing Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes! Also from just across the border in Canada believe it or not.

Totally agree, as an amateur wine maker, been using CF from Washington State, and it's delicious

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.

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.

My first experience with Cabernet Franc was in new York during a summer internship. I visited a local wine shop where there was a limited selection of wines. Yet, there were wine styles that I couldn't find much in Puerto Rico. While browsing I found a Cabernet Franc from france. This was a L'outsider from the year 2021. I found the wine delicious, fruity and it has spicy notes that you said are part of the flavor profile of this style. I rate it 91 points and it really got me excited to taste more. I'll see if I can find some more bottles to taste.

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.

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finger Lakes Region getting respect! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Konstantin for featuring a wine from the Finger Lakes. Some great things happening there.

Uuuh was für eine geile Transition Pure Liebe 😂❤ Danke für die Lernpause ;)

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.

Love a bit of cabernet franc. Thanks for the vid, will have to try some of those!

Konstantin, that was very informative. I will start trying Cabernet Franc. Thank you!

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.

Another great video. Love that the wines represent many different wine producing countries.

First experience of Cabernet Franc was M de Mulonniere-exquisite. Thank you for this channel, I’m learning so much!

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!

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 !

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.

In Cape Town is was pretty novel in mid-1990's (if memory serves) when some wine makers started to bring Cab Franc out of blends and being standalone. Definitely had promise for the terroir and Cab Franc would become a family favourite in wine tastings. Great to see this video and that a South African bottle was (unsurprisingly) well regarded.

Was hoping to see a Cab Franc from Hungary... they are making some outstanding examples over there. Great video!

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.

Nice timing. I just picked up a chinon and cab franc from Tuscany

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.

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.

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!

@pollodecoche

5 ай бұрын

This! Ontario Cab Francs RULE. And Queylus is great… I drank several cases of their Cab Franc during the pandemic

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.

Mendoza is producing incredible CF. It could overtake Malbec in complexity. Love them!

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.

Awesome video, Konstantin! Such a great, diverse line-up from around the world, and your descriptions were spot on. I've added the Osmote and Catena Zapata "Angelica Zapata Alta" to my list of wines to seek out and try. It is an exciting time to be a Cabernet Franc lover, that is for sure! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights as always.

@robertfrank5203

5 ай бұрын

And you can probably teach Konstantin a few things about soils! 👍

@shittywinememes

4 ай бұрын

How'd I know that you'd be in this comment section? 😆

@cabfrancchronicles

4 ай бұрын

😂 Where there is a mention of Cabernet Franc, I'm not going to be too far away!! @@shittywinememes

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!

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!!

I’m all about that #cabernetfranc life!!!

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

It really helps when you wear the white sweatshirt to see the color of the wines. I have always liked the wines from Chinon, so Cabernet Franc has always impressed.

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

But I have to be extra carful when swirling and spitting ...

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) .😉

Excellent review , love CF from the Loire now that Burgundy has gone stratospheric in price . Will try to source some from other regions now.

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

True!

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

5 ай бұрын

Sangiovese lighter than Cab Franc? Not so sure... especially in the montalcino/montepulciano area ;)

@benandstinky

5 ай бұрын

@@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.

@mmmbass6068

5 ай бұрын

You could be forgiven for mistaking a Cabernet Franc for a Chianti

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 sure hope so!!! This is my favorite varietal, which makes my taste in wine somewhat atypical.

About to open a 20 year old Bourgueil and stumbled on this video. Great pairing!

Excellent review of this widely grown varietal. 🏅

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

I’m good friends with the directrice technique at Chateau Jean Faure. She was super happy to be featured in this video 🎉

i just love you!!

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!

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!

Would love to see you do a review of the Vivino Top 10 of 2023! I know u have done some of these before & I find it very informative. When someone like yourself gives their opinion on popular wines like that, it helps lesser experienced wine drinkers (like myself) learn more about some of the wines they are drinking. Love your videos!

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!

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 :)

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

I have tasted some of their wines on the channel already. I guess that is why Leon left them out.

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

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.

I was very pleasantly surprised by one from the Upper Yarra Valley having never tried CF on its own … we ordered a second bottle!

My fav red grape variety ❤

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.

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!

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. 🍷⭐👍

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

Interesting!

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

I love Cab Franc but it's been years since I've found it on a store shelf in my rural area 😪

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 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!

My all time favorite is Merlot by far , but you intrigued me with solo CF . I had a feeling I would like it as a single variety , never had it before .

One can't make a really great Cabernet Franc set without a bottle from Villany, Southern Hungary :)

@jaymeese7714

5 ай бұрын

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.

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!

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

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.

Konstantin, I am from South Africa and I love your content and opinions on these wines. Cabernet franc is personally my favorite and I would love for you to try the Cabernet franc and Steytler Pinotage from Kaapzicht in Stellenboch!

👍 one of my favorite varietals

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.

Recently shared the Chateau Cheval Blanc 1985 with my brother, absolutely stunning and the best bordeau red we ever tasted 😁

I liked the El Enemigo from Argentina. They also produce a beautiful Chardonnay. Very good wine at modest prices

please do a deep dive into what austria has to offer! ❤🤍❤

Huge fan of Argentinian Cab Franc!

My daughter and son in law live in Tours, Loire Valley so I have become familiar with Cabernet Franc over the last 30 years. I agree with Konstantin that as a dominant grape in Anjou, Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur and a few lesser known AOP wines, they used to be more vegetal and had harsh tannins. I have noted the change over this period , with more fruit driven nuances and a delightful freshness. I have purchased Loire Cabernet Franc in a supermarket in Tours for €4.50 and it was excellent, I would have paid €10 and been happy😅. However this due to the low worldwide knowledge and appreciation of Loire Valley wine when compared to Bordeaux and Burgundy, hence the price point difference. Lastly, outside of France world wide wine drinkers think of white wine ( Saumur or Sancerre ) as the “ go to” wines of the Loire reion.

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

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)

I tried and very much liked the Poggioraso from Poggioargentiera (Tuscany) and that was my first and best experience with cabernet franc so far. I'm very intrigued by the Catena Zapata and the Chateau Jean Faure now. Need to try those as well

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!

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

:)

Niepoort at Quinta Napoles in the Douro has a small planting . I do like Petit Verdiot from Romeneira maybe its a grape variety to do a tasting of in the future .

The best Franc I've had was from Cab House in Paso Robles. Absolutely beautiful wine

Long Island gets overlooked in the cab franc conversation; the best stand up to Bordeaux.

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)

@user-kc3pe7pc8w

5 ай бұрын

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.👍

This is great, as I'm just starting to understand CF. I would've loved to see a Calif CF in the lineup, and I've just purchased a few from the Napa region, as I start to tire a bit of the Cab Sauv offerings.

I recommend checking CF-s from Villány and Balaton region in HU!

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)

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.

@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

5 minutes after seeing this video, I had to order the argentinian bottle 😂. I hope its the CF, which gives Jean Faure this beautiful nose. Tryd 2015 and 2016 and in my tasting line the nose of JF was the best...but finish was too short to end in my cellar. Thanks a lot for your inspiration and your effort!

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

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!

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.

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.

Cabernet Franc is on the rise here in Brazil aswel, there are some great exemples on the "Vale dos Vinhedos" D.O.

My favorite grape!

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.