WBW French Cabernet Franc

WBW French Cabernet Franc – Episode #435

April 2, 2008

I am super honored to be hosting this months Wine Blogging Wednesday, I choose Cabernet Franc from France and so here we go! Please make sure you check out the link below and see ALL the wine Bloggers efforts!

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Comments on this episode(216) Leave a comment ›

“Hey Gary! GREAT SHOW! You’re the man when it comes to wine!…” by Siyoung
“I’m watching this episode for the second time, unwittingly at first, a…” by ben from boston
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Gasnier Chinon Vieilles VignesChinon
2005 Domaine De La Butte Mi PenteBourgueil
1990 Olga Raffault Chinon Les PicassesChinon

Links mentioned in todays episode.

216 Responses

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April 24, 2009

Siyoung
Hey Gary! GREAT SHOW! You’re the man when it comes to wine!
March 20, 2009

ben from boston
I’m watching this episode for the second time, unwittingly at first, and I’ve never commented on a non current episode, but I must say, this may be the best, most classic “Gary” episode that I’ve seen, and by that I mean this is the episode I would link someone to who hasn’t seen the show. If your not down with this episode your not down with the thunder show.
January 12, 2009

CBone
I may have commented on this when I first watched it, but I want to do so again if I have already. I love Chinon wines, and have been introducing them to friends and family whenever I can. They have been a bigger hit with the latter than the former. I can’t really get enough of them. I have also tried a few Cabernet Francs from Virginia, which have been decent to good, but seem fruitier to me then the Chinons. I love the vegetable flavors, the more bell pepper the happier I am. I honestly never would have tried them were it not for these shows. So…thanks for that.
January 10, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
A root beer show!? Cant wait! Ive had that root beer and it ROCKS! Along with the Henry Weinhards its my favorite. Canned rootbeer? Dont bring that fake trash in here!!! Its all about the bottles and the pure ingredients, baby! QOTD: You keep asking what Im waiting for and I keep having to answer “For you to tell me to drink it.” Baaaaaaaa
December 23, 2008

Daniel P
Hi,

Last year, I was on a business trip in France (Tours region, just beside Bourgueil vinayards) and I brought back from France a Vouvray and one of theses Bourgueil bottles: Domaine de la butte, Mi-Pente, 2004 (instead of the 2005 rated on this blog). I drank with friends that Bourgueuil bottle 2 weeks ago and the taste was simply:

IN CRE DI BLE!!!!!!!

Perfect match with red meats with vegetables! Dry, sophisticated and a burst of flavors and far different from these fruity wines.

Moreover, I think that wine has an incredible maturing potential.

However, local people in Tours advised me that the “St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueuil” (AOC just beside Bourgueuil, but different) is even better. Ummm, I think that I will try it when I’ll have a chance.

Unfortunately, it seems that Loire Valley’s wines are under rated by most of wine “specialists”. Perhaps only related to the fact that Bordeaux appelations have far more budget to promote their wines than smaller producers you may found in Loire Valley.
November 2, 2008

Ray Barnes
I have seen this review twice and it is one of my favourites, partially because it is devoted entirely to the (IMHO) great Cabernet Franc, but also because it encapsulates the strengths and distinction of Gary’s very personal approach to wine evaluation. I almost fell off my chair laughing when he decided to classify the manure bouquet in the last wine from the 1960s in PA – guess each state and decade supposedly has vintage manures.

With respect to the Domaine de la Butte Mi-Pente (pron. roughly me-punt not pen-tay) or Mid-slope, this came from a 5 hectare parcel of average age of 50 year-old vines on superior Turonian calcareous soil, covered with quartz, mica and a little clay. In typical Burgundian fashion, it is vinified and bottled separately from the releases emanating from the top (haut) and bottom/foot (pied) of the slope. I find this has something in common with Domaine Weinbach’s handling of the different sections of the GC Schlossberg. All harvesting is manual and the yield is 25 hectolitres/ha. It is matured in 1/3 new oak barrels, 1/3 in barrels of one year and the rest in barrels of 2/3 two years, and was bottled, without fining or filtration, in 2007. It has cellaring potential of 20 years but should be hitting its peak in 8 to 10 years. This information was kindly provided by email from the winemaker M Blot – who was regarded in the 2008 Wine Report as the top wine maker in the Loire.

This is a true vin de garde, especially the 2005, and if you like cabernet franc, it is worth seeking out. I feel it deserves as much respect as most of the fine 2005 Bordeauxs, but costs quite a bit less.
April 27, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
I had the 2003 Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Franc Santa Barbara County a couple months ago (got it from wine.woot). It was decent.

Had some rotten vegetable aromas initially that blew off quickly. Lots of berries on the palate. The alcohol is somewhat contained but you know it’s there.
April 24, 2008

Michael H
QOTD: Last Chinon I had was at a local restaurant. A little too one-sided with the vegetables. A big time roasted bell pepper nose with a tomato juice flavor profile…
April 19, 2008

Anne
We (husband & I) discovered you this spring and asa result have spent the last few months seeking wines we’ve never had…including Cab Franc, which turns out to be the epitomy of what I love in wine…earthy and mineral. We’re pretty new to the wine world (hey, some newbies DO like old world wines!) and big fans! Now I gotta get on line and get your book…
April 19, 2008

Ryan
Gary,

Question for you. Have you ever tasted manure?
April 18, 2008

The Wine Nazi
I absolutely adore cabernet FRANCS; which may come as somewhat of a surprise because I absolutely hate cabernet SAUVIGONS. Just can’t stand them. Yup, I know, it is a personal thing. Gary said that Bordeaux lovers can appreciate cabernet francs. That is so true, because there is an obvious similarity. But the amazing thing is that even Bordeaux haters such as me can LOVE cabernet francs. Perhaps the main reason is that because of the latitude, the Loire valley wines bring a lot more acidity to the game: these wines quench my thirst, whereas the typical Bordeaux red makes me want to drink A LOT OF beer to quench my thirst.

Anyway, feel free to disagree!

Bring on the Bourgeuil! (The one Gary had was quite expensive, there should be a lot of simpler ones that cost a fraction of the price – in France/Europe they typically cost $6-$8)
April 16, 2008

E-Dub
Last Cab Franc experience was Chinon Pere du Leonce – Opened the bottle and the room was filled with the smell… and I mean filled with the smell of ROASTED PEANUTS! Outrageously interesting. Blew off after 24 hours and wasn’t nearly as interesting on the second day.

Would try it again if I see another value.

E-Dub
April 11, 2008

SJR
have not yet tried a bottle from France… got a bottle of 2004 Inniskillin Cab Franc last Christmas that I really enjoyed (made from Canadian and imported grapes) Just picked up a bottle of their 2005 vintage that I will be opening tomorrow – hope it is just as good or better.

Gary – I think your taste in wine is similar to my own in that I prefer the vegetal flavours over the fruity flavours any day. Some of your descriptions of manure smell reminded me of my first experience with Marachal Foche, wonder if you have reviewed any of that style…?
April 10, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Interesting, not had many of these wines.

Q-Not sure what i am waiting for??
April 9, 2008

Collin
QOTD – A wise man once said, “The harder I work, the luckier I am.” I think that may at least partially answer your question.
April 9, 2008

charlie berg
that was a fascinating episode. I’d love to try some loire cab franc…
April 8, 2008

Kevin C
Its not hard to find good cabernet franc from the Loire here in Brussels, but I was recently blown away on a trip to Saumur last summer. It was an unexpected wine paradise with fantastic reds on top of stunning whites and roses. Add in super nice unpretentious winemakers for a rare combination. I do find the emphasis on vegetables and rotting carcasses a bit strange as I tasted not a single wine like this. Plenty of dry, woody, and tannic wines, but also some great pure fruit. Incredible values too. Domaine Filliatreau was a favorite visit. Their Chateau Fouquet at â‚¬15.00 is a steal.
April 8, 2008

john witherspoon (J DUB)
loving cab franc
here is my post – better late than never!

http://anythingwine.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/wine-blogging-wednesday-44-french-cabernet-franc/

J DUB
April 7, 2008

Allison
Gary – love Cab Franc??? How about doing a nod to your Seattle trip?

Take your fav Cab Franc and put it up against Walla Walla Vintner’s 2005 Cab Franc. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
April 6, 2008

agentorange
Gary,

Just catching up now.

“it’s nice to like everything”

particularly

“youthful juberance”

We love you man.
April 6, 2008

Derek
Great show gary, I love Cab franc.
April 6, 2008

Tyler
Here ya go Gary

Thanks for hosting

Wine Blogging Wednesday #44 French Cabernet Franc
April 6, 2008

AVP
QOTD: Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine by Couly-Dutheil 2001. Quite funkee.
April 6, 2008

DJB
Haven’t had Cab Franc from France. I am waiting for the money to start rolling in! I have had an Australian Cab Franc from Wine settlement company that I loved, and I recently had a Cougar Crest Cab Franc that I enjoyed as well.
April 6, 2008

Harley Stan
WOW, great epsiode, lots of energy.
QOTD- I don’t remember the last Cab Franc but I am sure I have had one, I guess it means I need to have another one.