Cabernet Franc From Different Places

Cabernet Franc From Different Places – Episode #406

February 12, 2008

Gary tastes 3 very serious Cabernet Franc wines 2 from Loire valley and one from California.

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Comments on this episode(285) Leave a comment ›

“i am going to seek one out ! i havent had one yet . . i know i know i …” by CaseyLee
“Loire Valley wines (all of them) are the dogs bo**ocks my friend; i.e …” by TommyB
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Amirault Bourguiel La CoudrayeBourgueil
2004 Olek-mery Chinon Des TireauxChinon
2005 Larkin Cabernet FrancNapa Cabernet Franc

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Bourgeuil Pronounced Boor-Goy From Loire. – Episode #175

285 Responses

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May 21, 2009

CaseyLee
i am going to seek one out ! i havent had one yet . . i know i know i dunno why dont ask.
March 12, 2009

TommyB
Loire Valley wines (all of them) are the dogs bo**ocks my friend; i.e that’s an English term for they are great! My favourite region for wines? Quite possibly!
January 21, 2009

Chris Lotz
really stinky if you smell from the bottle. wish 9th ave vintners had borgeuil, but i settled on chinon. gotta just put on the overhauls and mud boots, im gonna pick some veggies. poop doesnt bother me. its fun to smell one thing and taste something totally different
January 7, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
QOTD: I cant promise to buy and drink one this weekend, as I have spent WAYYYYY too much money on wine the past two months in buying vintage wines to cellar for a decade or so. Watching these last 20 episodes or so has given me the idea ( finally?!) to go to my wine shop and drop $80 or so on 5 or 6 wines from all over instead of always grabbing the $$$ stuff. I WILL buy one in the future though.
November 12, 2008

kinaidos
Re: Jeff who mentions a Pineau d’aunis.

Pineau d’aunis is a grape. That’s not a cab franc, it’s a Pineau d’aunis. It’s one of the other grapes allowed in most of the Loire apps. You can spot it because it’s a dead ringer for white pepper on the nose. By itself in it’s best expression it can have some nice sour cherry to it with all of that white pepper and floral nose. It’s an excellent food wine.

The grape is used most frequently used as a blending grape with Gamay in the Touraine (Loire app.) If you see tasting notes for a Touraine that indicate a peppery nose, you know you’ve got some Pineau d’aunis in there.
April 13, 2008

Jeff
I recently blind tasted a 2005 Domaine Belliviere Rouge-Gorge Pineau d’Aunis (Loire Cab Franc) that absolutely blew my socks off. Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus and black pepper literally climb out of the glass, punch you in the face, steal your wallet, sleep with your woman and kick you in the gut on their way out your front door. It is absolutely awesome. I would love to see Gary review this wine.

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1036262
March 23, 2008

Harry
I came back to watch this episode again and remembered drinking a Domaine Gasnier Chinon Cab Franc soon after. Unfortunately we all were a bit disappointed with the wine. The fruits (sort of like blackberries, but not good ones) were far too forward, and there wasn’t much in the mid-palate to balance it out. But a worthwhile try.
March 19, 2008

Elliot Essman
I just drove through both the Chinon and Bourgueil areas two weeks ago and must have had a dozen of these – profound wine, and honest as they come.
March 9, 2008

scott.t.
Took Gary’s recommendation to expand our palette so yesterday we attended tasting of Loire Valley reds (mostly cab francs) at a local wine shop yesterday.

Tasted were:
2006 Malbete, Reuilly Rouge
2005 Domaine Henry PellÃ©, Menetou-Salon Rouge, Morogues “Les Cris”
2006 Philippe Alliet, Chinon
2005 Joguet, Chinon, Varennes du Grand Clos
2005 Joguet, Chinon, Clos du Chene Vert
2005 Joguet, Chinon, Clos de la Dioterie

Our faves were the Clos du Chene Vert and Clos de la Dioterie, with Les Cris rounding out our 3 top.

Gotta agree w/ Gary’s description of the cab francs as a “Justice League of America” of funkiness.
March 6, 2008

Karl
I totally agree with you to said that Cab Franc is not for everybody.

Usually the first wines we like is more like kid’s flavours (sugar, vanilla, candy)…and with time we prefer aduld’s flavours in the wines…that’s wath happens to a lot of wine drinker’s. Thats my opinion.

And for the QOTD, I love Cab Franc and just open monday a nice bottle of Domaine Philippe Alliet, Chinon “vieilles vignes” 2005…SUPERB !
March 5, 2008

Jason S.
Recently has a Carr Cabernet Franc that ROCKED – can’t remember if it was the ‘04 or ‘05 though. Definitely would like to have more of that around.
February 23, 2008

Dan-o
GV – I am a big fan of the Loire Valley Cab Francs. Even though I am catching up on some old episodes, I am not going to pop one open this weekend because, frankly, I am already sold on these wines.

I have Chinon, Saumur, and Anjou in my cellar taking a rest for a few years before I attack them again.

I love the funky funk. My pal has changed from the Big Bold, New World flavors to the love for the complexity of the wine.
February 22, 2008

Aaron
I tried the yannick amirault last weekend and I loved it! I’m going back for more today. Thanks GV for turning me on to the loire!
February 21, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Only had a few straight cab francs, need to try more. GV I love your honestly, I could tell you were having trouble with what to say about the Larkin and then you stuck with your true feelings. That is why WLTV rocks so hard!! Great show GV!
February 20, 2008

Omallley
I had my first Cab Franc last night – a Charles Joguet 2005 CuvÃ©e Terroir Chinon, and it knocked my socks off. Very funky/leafy and inky/dark, and pretty high alchohol (14%) but not in the least bit hot. Excellent wine. Fantastic even!

It brought the funk-da-funk and I loved it (I’m thinking my palate is going way Old World on me – either that, or I need to listen to some more Herbie Hancock). Thanks for turning me onto CF GV!
February 20, 2008

Cyn
QOTD: Tried one…..you have to give me some credit for trying! Really, cabs are not my thing I’m glad I expanded my palate and added another dimension to it. However, I will try another one or two to make sure
February 19, 2008

Joe Discher
Cab Franc from the US is no comparision to France. Va is the best in the US.
February 19, 2008

Ethan N
bought 4 bottles of the yannick amirault cab franc, wish i would have bought a case. awesome juice! no question there’s more loire cab francs on their way to my house.
February 19, 2008

chris the greek
cool task,

am finally off tomorrow (weds) so am out shopping

will let you know

chris the greek
February 19, 2008

paul
I won’t get another one since I have several in the cellar and drink them regularly – not frequently, but on a regular basis. I have some Chinon and Bourgeuil (watch that spelling) and well as a couple from Blackjack Ranch.

Great show, BTW.
February 18, 2008

Jeff m
Sought out a bottle of Loire Valley Amirault Bourgueil La Coudraye 2004. What I enjoyed most about this bottle of wine, besides the nice balance of acidity and tannins, the woodsy, licorice, green veggie taste, and the lingering and surprising minerality; much like the whites I love from Loire, was seeing the surprise on my friend’s face, as he tried to describe the many ways it was different than what he normally drinks. Previously, he would would never shell out $20 dollars a single bottle, but with curiosity he kept asking me where it was from.
February 18, 2008

ryang
ok just tried a a 2005 Sauvion Chinon. 100% cab franc. only like a $10 bottle at the local total wine. distinct green pepper on the nose and even some campfire type smell. noticed the green pepper on the palate along with some minerality maybe. interesting nose and flavor profile. glad i tried and i’d like to try a couple more examples of these but overall im not sure if i like this or not right now.
February 18, 2008

bigmay
I didn’t promise to seek out the Loire Valley CF but as luck would have it, we sampled one on Saturday night (my first) at my 30th birthday party. A very good friend of mine (who happens to be a lurker), Zac, flew back home to MN from NYC to help celebrate. While at dinner at a very nice wine bar he suggested ordering up a bottle of a ‘99 Saumur-Champigny specifically because of this episode and many of the 12 at the table had a taste. It wasn’t for everyone (my dad hated it) but he and I agreed it was our wine of the night. Well made, medium body, lots of veggies. A very enjoyable experience. Thanks for bringing the thunder to my birthday, Gary!
February 18, 2008

TR
Finally!!
A Cab Franc episode. I have to admit I’ve been deleting the feedblitz e-mails cause I have been too busy to watch lately, 110 hrs a week at work. But I am glad I saved this one. One question, what is the deal with the pouring out one for your Homies from the first pour from the first bottle (removing dust, dish detergent???)
The Cab Franc from Virginia wineries noteably Ingleside are excellent, though kinda expensive. I think global warming is improving the terrior in VA (drier). Oh well, sucks for the French. I think I’ll buy some beachfront property in Iceland, Schkoll!!
February 18, 2008

ChrisH
I have been on the hunt for a good Cab Franc for the past week after watching this episode. Who would have thought finding one under $50 would be so difficult in central Indiana. I’m a big fan of funky wines, so it sounds like some of these wines would be perfect for me.