Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is the thoughtful sibling in the Bordeaux family. It's cool, composed, and full of quiet surprises. Lighter than Cab Sauv, but more herbal, more savory, and just as complex when it wants to be.

Cabernet Franc is Herbal, Juicy, and Peppery. If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Syrah, you may enjoy Cabernet Franc for its similar profile.

Flavors

Cranberry sauce

Raspberry Jam

Cracked black pepper

Green bell papper

The smell of a freshly sharpened pencil

Imagine sitting by a windowsill on a cold day with tomato soup and rosemary crackers. It’s comforting, savory, and just a little earthy in the best way.

Cabernet Franc is Cabernet Sauvignon’s parent grape, but it plays lighter on its feet. Instead of Cab Sauv’s dense blackcurrant and oak-driven power, Cab Franc shows red fruit (think raspberry, cranberry, and cherry) with a signature herbal streak that leans toward bell pepper, violets, or dried herbs. American Cab Francs, especially from Virginia and New York, often feel fresher and more perfumed compared to the heavier Bordeaux style. Even when the fruit notes sound sweet, the wines themselves are dry, with a balance of acidity that keeps them lively. No two Cab Francs show their herbal side the same way, which makes them fascinating to taste across regions.

Acid

Cabernet Franc shows juicy, medium-high acidity that highlights its red fruit and herbal edge.

Tannin

Cab Franc tannins are firmer than Pinot Noir, but still moderate. Think the grip of a leather glove, structured without harshness.

Alcohol

Cabernet Franc typically runs 12.5–14%. Cooler-climate regions like New York keep alcohol moderate while California plantings often rise higher with fuller ripeness. Its bright acidity and herbal edge usually keep the alcohol feeling balanced rather than heavy.

Serving Temp

55–60°F (slightly cool red)

Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge before serving; it will gradually warm in the glass to the perfect sip.

Food Pairing

Takeout: Veggie burger with caramelized onions

Snacks: Olive tapenade + crackers

From the Fridge: Leftover Lasagne

Elevated Pairing: Herb-crusted lamb chops with rosemary jus

Where you'll find it

Cabernet Franc comes from France, where it plays a key role in Bordeaux blends and stars solo in the Loire Valley, especially in regions like Chinon and Saumur.

New York (Finger Lakes & Long Island)

The U.S. capital of Cab Franc: cool, structured, and high-acid

California

Found in Napa, Santa Barbara, and Sierra Foothills, it's riper, rounder, and often blended

Washington

Medium-bodied with great balance between fruit and earth

Virginia

A signature red: earthy, spicy, and bright with East Coast elegance

Pennsylvania

Increasingly popular in cooler climates: tart, food-friendly, and fresh

The Last Drop

That green bell pepper smell? It’s real, and it comes from methoxypyrazines, aromatic compounds found in Cab Franc (and passed down to its kid, Cab Sauv). If you’ve ever tasted "green" in a red wine, this grape is probably involved.