Cabernet Franc is one of my favorite grape varieties. That’s why I’m thrilled to be participating in Cabernet Franc Day, which is celebrated annually on December 4th.

Just as one remembers their first kiss, first car, first job or any number of other “firsts”, as a Cabernet Franc lover, I’ll always remember my first experience with monovarietal Cab Franc. Here’s how my Cab Franc love began.

Around 10 years ago, in the Before Times in Napa Valley (when you could mostly taste wine without an appointment), my wife were driving north on Highway 29. About 5 minutes after passing through bustling downtown St. Helena, a rustic stone barn caught our attention. We turned right onto Ehlers Lane, then down a long single lane road, and parked along a row of vines below the tasting room entrance to Ehlers Estate Winery.

It was at Ehlers Estate I first tasted Cab Franc. It was their 2008 Estate Cab Franc. It reminded me of Cabernet Sauvignon, but it was different. For me, it had livelier acidity and it possessed an appealing hint of herbaceousness.

I was captivated by Cab Franc’s charms that day. It’s been a favorite grape variety ever since. We enjoy both New and Old World Cabernet Franc.

A bottle of that 2008 Cab Franc came home with us. We cellared for several year. Then, we enjoyed it with friends on Open That Bottle Night in 2013. Here’s my tasting note from that night: Garnet color with cherry, oak, cigar box, and black pepper aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, fresh and lively, and smooth textured with sweet tannins and black cherry, blueberry, plum, vanilla, mineral and spice flavors. Long finish

Disclosure: These wines were provided to me as media samples. I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are my own.

In My Glass for #CabFrancDay

I received two samples of Cab Franc for #CabFranc Day.

2018 Buckel Cabernet Franc

Fruit for this wine was sourced from the Grand Valley AVA in Colorado. The wine pours a translucent ruby color with subtle plum, red currant, savory spice and an appealing hint of bell pepper aromas. On the palate it’s full-bodied with lively acidity and a supple texture with firm tannins with red plum, red currant, black cherry, and savory spice flavors with a medium finish. 14.5% abv| SRP – $24. This was my first wine from Colorado. It’s delightful and offers impressive QPR. If you grab a bottle, I recommend giving it some air to enable it to fully experience its charms.

About Buckel Family Wine

Buckel Family Wine is a small family owned winery in the heart of Colorado. Joe Buckel, our co-founder and winemaker, has been in the business of wine for over a decade including working as ab enologist at Flowers Vineyard and Winery, and BR Cohn Winery and winemaker at Sutcliffe Vineyards.  They produce Old-World styled wines with minimal intervention; allowing the terroir and grapes of Colorado to express themselves.

2017 Peju Province Winery Cabernet Franc

The wine pours a translucent medium ruby color with aromatic, strawberry, black cherry, violet, dried herb, cedarwood, vanilla bean and a hint of white peppercorn aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and suave with vibrant acidity and relaxed tannins, with ripe black cherry, strawberry, bittersweet chocolate, and vanilla accented with a kiss of savoriness. Long finish. ABV – 15.1%|SRP – $75. This is an alluring wine that showcases what a Napa Valley Cab Franc has to offer.

About Peju Province Winery

Peju Province was founded in Rutherford AVA of the Napa Valley by Tony and Herta Peju in 1982. Peju farms its 230 acres of estate vineyards predominately planted to Bordeaux varietals are farmed both organically and sustainably. It’s a gorgeous property. That tower you see depicted on their label? It’s a sight to behold in person, as are its beautiful gardens.

The winery’s estate vineyards surround the winery in Rutherford and are also located in Calistoga, Carneros and Pope Valley. Its “green” programs are extensive; one example is that a large array of solar panels provides 40% of the winery’s energy. In 2016, the family acquired a vineyard and winery in Carneros and in 2019, Calmére Estate Winery under the auspices of the Peju’s daughters, and focused on Burgundian varietals, opened to the public. Sara Fowler is the Director of Winemaking and Vineyard. She was named Best Local Winemaker by Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

Both of these wines are fine exemplars of New World Cab Franc.

What’s in your glass for Cab Franc Day?

Do you have any favorites?

Do tell…We’re always on the lookout for Cab Franc!

If you’re seeing this early enough, please join the conversation on Twitter this Friday, December 4th! Just follow the  #CabFrancDay hashtag.  The twitter chat starts at 5pm PT; followed by a get to know the winemakers chat at 6pm PT! Show everyone your Cab Franc Love and together we’ll show that Cabernet Franc is #MoreThanABlendingGrape!

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