red grape

Cabernet Franc

Cool-to-temperate; thrives on the Loire and the cool banks of Bordeaux.

Known as: Cab Franc, Bouchet

Cabernet Franc is the elegant parent of Cabernet Sauvignon and the grape of the Loire's finest reds - Chinon and Bourgueil.

Its perfumed dark fruit, leafy freshness and lower tannin make it a food-friendly red that ages gracefully.

For the buyer, Cabernet Franc offers character and value, especially from the Loire and as a subtle partner in Bordeaux blends.

Flavour & Aroma Profile

Aroma

red fruitbell peppergraphiteviolet

Flavour

raspberrygreen pepperblackcurrantearthy herbsflint

Food Pairing

· roast chicken
· duck
· lentils
· aged cheddar
· mushroom dishes

Notable Cabernet Franc Wines

All wines →

Curated top picks first, then other wines made from Cabernet Franc.

★ Top Pick

red

Château Margaux

Bordeaux · 2024 (representative vintage)

Château Margaux is an red wine from France, in the Bordeaux region (Southwest France, around the city of Bordeaux and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The grand vin of the First Growth estate — a benchmark of Bordeaux elegance.

$700–$1200 est. retail

★ Top Pick

red

Château Cheval Blanc

Bordeaux · 2024 (representative vintage)

Château Cheval Blanc is an red wine from France, in the Bordeaux region (Southwest France, around the city of Bordeaux and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.), made principally from Cabernet Franc. The benchmark Saint-Émilion First Growth, famed for a rare, perfumed Cabernet Franc-dominant blend.

$700–$1300 est. retail

★ Top Pick

red

Château Ausone

Bordeaux · 2024 (representative vintage)

Château Ausone is an red wine from France, in the Bordeaux region (Southwest France, around the city of Bordeaux and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.), made principally from Merlot. The tiny, historic Saint-Émilion First Growth planted on the limestone plateau above the old town.

$700–$1400 est. retail

★ Top Pick

red

Opus One

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Opus One is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship Napa Bordeaux blend from the Mondavi–Rothschild joint venture.

$350–$550 est. retail

red

Sassicaia

Tuscany · 2024 (representative vintage)

Sassicaia is an red wine from Italy, in the Tuscany region (Central Italy, around Florence and Siena, stretching from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian coast.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The original Super Tuscan from Bolgheri — a Cabernet blend that rewrote Italian fine wine in the 1970s.

$350–$600 est. retail

red

Joseph Phelps Insignia

Napa Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Joseph Phelps Insignia is an red wine from United States, in the Napa Valley region (Northern California, a valley in Napa County, north of San Francisco Bay.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa's first proprietary Bordeaux blend (1974) and still one of its most consistent icons.

$200–$320 est. retail