Cabernet Franc is the ‘parent’ grape to Cabernet Sauvignon and possesses more finesse and elegance. Cabernet Franc’s tannins are less aggressive, but fine and long.
At home on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, it is responsible for such famous wines like Cheval Blanc and Ausone. These wines are textured, elegant and long-ageing wines, of the most expensive and iconic on the international stage. Another notable region for Cabernet Franc is the Loire Valley in France, producing light crunchy fresh and herbaceous wines, the latter only recently filtering into the aesthetic of South African winemakers.
Styles of Cabernet Franc
South Africa now produces both regional styles of Cabernet Franc, with many signature blends including a significant portion of Cabernet Franc. As a single variety, there are only a handful of really great wines produced in South Africa.
Of the Loire style of fresh and herbaceous wines referred to above, there are only a handful of producers of Cabernet Franc in South Africa. This Breton Cabernet Franc is fine, savoury and light to medium-bodied with a notable freshness.