Cabernet Franc

A very old, noble variety that is most prominent in the Loire reds of Saumur, Chinon and St-Nicolas de Bourgueil in particular, and also plays an important supporting role to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in many of the reds of Bordeaux. On its own, and in top examples from the Loire it shows fresh raspberry notes, sometimes with a pleasant herbal, not-to-say slightly ‘leafy’ note. It seems to work best in regions a bit too cool for properly ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. There are often aromas of blackcurrant and pencil shavings in the Bordeaux examples.