Well, I didn't hate any of the cabernet francs we poured, and I liked quite a few. Consensus favorites seemed to be #2, #7 (if you like Bordeaux), #8 (if you like California cabs), #9, #10 (thanks, Joe, for bringing!). While the Chinon's (France's leading region for wines made entirely of cab franc) had a relatively consistent style, the cab francs from other regions were all over the map. But the Chinon's had a lovely nose, combined with a lighter body than a cabernet sauvignon. And they were relative bargains -- pick one up!
- 2003 Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon "Les Chiens-Chien" $14.99
- 2005 Frédéric Mabileau St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Les Rouillères $13.99: the product of steel tanks, rather than oak, this was a winner, and a bargain
- 2002 Ravenswood Cabernet Franc ~$20: a bit young, lots of oak, could use a little time
- 1998 Ravenswood Cabernet Franc $19.99: a very nice California take on cab franc, the extra four years really pulled this one together
- 2004 Chateau Tour Grise 253 Saumur Rouge $15.99
- 2005 Château du Hureau Saumur Champigny, Philippe & Georges Vatan $13.99
- 2004 Nenin, Pomerol $29.99: ah, Bordeaux, this is why cab franc is a blending grape; the first of two blends, 75% merlot, 25% cab franc
- 2002 Archipel Napa Red $29.99: the second blend, in the decanter, 49% cab sauvignon, 33% merlot, 18% cab franc; a classic big California cab blend, very tasty, if not as sophisticated as the Bordeaux
- 2004 Charles Joguet Chinon Les Varennes Franc de Pied 31.99: seemed the most sophisticated and layered of all the 100% cab francs; this winemaker is a leader in Loire cab franc
- 2005 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Franc ~$40: beautiful California take on this grape, smoother than a straight cab would be, but with a balanced dose of wood; a wine club only offering, so no more to be had
- 2004 Domaine Fouet Saumur Champigny $18.99
- 2004 Catherine et Pierre Breton Chinon Beaumont
- 2006 Happy Canyon Vineyards "Chukker," Cabernet Franc $16.99: yikes, this Santa Ynez cab franc is a monster, made more like a monster Zin than a cab franc
