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(280) Leave a comment ›

“I recently blind tasted a 2005 Domaine Belliviere Rouge-Gorge Pineau d…” by Jeff
“I came back to watch this episode again and remembered drinking a Doma…” by Harry
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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

280 Responses

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about a month ago

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
about a month ago

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.
about a month ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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 Pellé, 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.
about 2 months ago

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 !
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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!
about 2 months ago

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!
about 2 months ago

Omallley
I had my first Cab Franc last night - a Charles Joguet 2005 Cuvée 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!
about 2 months ago

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
about 2 months ago

Joe Discher
Cab Franc from the US is no comparision to France. Va is the best in the US.
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

chris the greek
cool task,

am finally off tomorrow (weds) so am out shopping

will let you know

chris the greek
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

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!
about 2 months ago

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!!
about 2 months ago

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.
about 2 months ago

Brian Swanson
Great show, GV. Can’t grab the cab franc this weekend. BUT-I’m heading out to your neck of the woods on 3/1 (first birthday party for my pain in the a$$ brother-in-law’s niece - she’s great-he’s the pain in the a$$), so I’ll definitely be hitting W.L. before heading back to NYC. I’m gonna cut a swath through your Portugal and Loire Valley sections - can’t wait.
about 2 months ago

Kevin C.
GREAT episode GV! Go back to the New Year’s resolutions and you will se that mine was to try more Loire reds. This weekend had Sauvion Chinon at about $13. Got some of that tomato,celery and prune/plum action. Have at St Nicholas de Bourgeil up next. I have definitely found these wines interesting, stretching my normal list of descriptors, and definitely not favored by the less enthusiatic wine drinkers in the house
about 2 months ago

DARREL LAS VEGAS
Try CONIGLIO C/F Napa THIS ROCKS!
about 2 months ago

Paul
GV, must say that I am more a New World kind of drinker, but that could change as I listen to you and try wines from areas like the Loire. Will be searching for one of these on my next trip, and see if my pal can deal with the “funky-funk”. Not an Oak Monster fan, but a little oak is not so bad, for me. Love your excitement and passion. It is contagious. Keep up the good work, you are the leader of the Vayniac nation.
about 2 months ago

Patrick
I just tasted my first 100% Cab Franc at a local winery (La Grange) today. Excellent! Very similar to what you describe when tasting the Bourguiel. Dirty dirty veggies and funk. Loved it.