Cabernet Franc

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Manincor's flagship Bordeaux-style cuvee blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Castel Campan vineyards above Lake Caldaro. Demeter biodynamic; styled for long cellaring with firm tannin structure and dark-fruited depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Bold

The prestige selection of Chateau de la Riviere, sourced exclusively from the estate's oldest Merlot vines in a single 1.5-hectare plot and aged entirely in new French oak. Produced only in the best vintages; a luxury expression of Fronsac terroir.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Originally the second wine of Pavie, now an independent brand since 2018 sourced from a dedicated 11-hectare east-plateau parcel. Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend of medium body with dark cherry, espresso and salty-mineral character; approachable on release.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

The second wine of Lafite shares the elegance and lead-pencil signature of the grand vin but with a higher Merlot component lending earlier approachability. Floral aromatic lift distinguishes it from heavier second wines.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

The second wine of Ausone, sourced from the youngest Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines on the same limestone hillside. Crisp, elegant and distinctively mineral, with a fruity register that opens earlier than the grand vin.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Elegant

Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 27 classified hectares at the foot of Saint-Emilion's slope. Generous, opulent and structured, with dark cherry, violets and cedar complexity; certified organic from the 2021 vintage.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

From just 7 hectares of steep limestone slopes, Ausone is a wine of concentration, precision and mineral tension. Cabernet Franc dominates, giving iron-rich structure, dried-flower fragrance and an extraordinary seamless finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

From 16.5 hectares of ancient underground cellars carved into the limestone of Saint-Emilion's plateau, Beau-Sejour Becot offers silk and velvet textures with floral aromatics, dark fruits and a crushed-stone mineral lift. Recent vintages show increasing use of amphora for freshness.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Premier Grand Cru Classe B from the Saint-Emilion limestone plateau. Owned by the Wertheimer family (Chanel), Canon produces Merlot-dominant blends of great classical finesse and ageing capacity, with cedar, mint and graphite precision.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Cabernet Franc-dominant Saint-Emilion of silky: violets and graphite on the nose, an opulent yet precise palate of black cherry and tobacco, seamless tannin structure and a finish of uncommon length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Saint-Estephe Deuxieme Cru Classe (1855) with an oriental spice and incense aromatic signature seldom found in Pauillac wines. Merlot-rich for Saint-Estephe, delivering suppleness alongside the appellation's characteristic mineral-tannic power.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The most Cabernet-dominant Right Bank premier cru in Bordeaux: near-equal thirds of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A in 2022. Combines peony and iris fragrance with electric energy, grainy Cabernet tannin and remarkable mineral length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Merlot-led first-growth Pessac-Leognan red combining cassis and graphite with earthy tobacco and cedar. Velvety tannins and exceptional length set it apart from Medoc peers.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

La Mission Haut-Brion combines the gravel terroir of Talence with intense, brooding dark fruit. Blackberry, scorched earth, and graphite underpin a structured, powerful palate with velvety tannins and a finish that rivals the great first growths.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The archetype of Pauillac first-growth: Cabernet-dominant, with penetrating lead pencil and cassis aromatics, precise fine-grained tannins, and a finish that evolves over decades.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Unique Pomerol with an equal Cabernet Franc-Merlot split giving a perfumed floral lift and structural precision rarely seen in the appellation. Biodynamic farming since 2014; produced from just 4.5 hectares on the Pomerol plateau.

Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

The most structured and austere of the Pauillac first-growths. The L'Enclos parcel of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon delivers extraordinary concentration and mineral tension; legendary longevity requires patience of decades.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Rustic

Lynch-Bages consistently overperforms its Fifth Growth classification. A richer, more extrovert Pauillac than the first-growths, with cassis generosity, smoky tobacco, and a robust structure that ages beautifully over 20-30 years.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

The most opulent of the Pauillac first-growths; Mouton Rothschild emphasises blackcurrant concentration, dark chocolate, and an extrovert aromatic generosity that sets it apart from the pencil-mineral restraint of Lafite and Latour.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

From an estate documented since 1305 under Bertrand de Got (later Pope Clement V), one of the longest continuously documented vineyards in Bordeaux. Cabernet-and-Merlot blend delivering cassis, graphite, and tobacco with refined tannins; in great vintages approaches first-growth complexity.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

From 42 hectares at Saint-Emilion's highest point (110m), Pavie delivers concentrated, structured Merlot-dominant blends with extraordinary mineral depth. Pairs elegance with considerable power; requires minimum 15 years to fully integrate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Known for its silky texture and unusually high 32% Merlot for a Left Bank estate, Pichon Lalande bridges the power of Pauillac with a suppleness and perfume reminiscent of Margaux. Louis Roederer ownership since 2006 has brought further precision.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Pauillac second-growth with an unusually high Cabernet Sauvignon proportion for the appellation. AXA Millesimes' investment since 1987 has lifted consistency dramatically; the 2022 vintage drew especially strong critical praise in bottle.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Pauillac Cinquieme Cru Classe (1855); achieved full Demeter biodynamic certification in 2014, an early date among classified Medoc estates. Distinctive use of amphorae alongside barrique ageing. The wines combine Pauillac's classical structure with a biodynamic freshness and earth energy distinctive to the estate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Pessac-Leognan Cabernet, Cru Classe de Graves rouge (1959 classification), elevated by the Cathiard family's acquisition in 1990. Cassis, graphite, and tobacco define a precise, structured palate; 60% new oak ageing adds cedar and spice. Reviewer-points tuples on scores array.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

From Saint-Emilion's highest plateau (over 100m), Troplong Mondot produces Merlot-dominant blends of great richness and depth. Thick and concentrated without being heavy; dark plum, coffee and stone character with remarkable ageing potential.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

The flagship Fronsac estate red from 60 hectares on clay-limestone soils above the Dordogne. Merlot-led and supple with dark chocolate and ripe cherry; aged in spectacular 16th-century underground cellars at constant 13 degrees.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The benchmark Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel of Moulis: Cabernet-dominant with dark fruit, pencil lead and licorice, offering genuine structure and ageing potential well beyond its humble classification.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

The largest single vineyard in the Médoc produces an consistently approachable, fruit-forward Haut-Médoc with a well-balanced structure and excellent everyday drinkability at an accessible price.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Timeless Saint-Julien classic: a Cabernet-dominant blend with classic Médoc pencil shavings, licorice and cassis, built for patience with rich powdery tannins.

Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Romantic

The most perfumed of the Médoc first growths: haunting floral aromatics of roses and violets above a core of concentrated cassis, extraordinary saline minerality, and tannins demanding decades of patience.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

The great unclassified Médoc: Sociando-Mallet produces wines of classed-growth quality from Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, with muscular Cabernet-Merlot structure, minty cassis, and a distinctive saline minerality.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

A cuvée in its own right rather than a simple second wine: structured Saint-Julien Cabernet with its own distinct terroir personality from western parcels of the estate, offering outstanding value relative to the grand vin.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Elegant

Second wine of Chateau Canon (formerly Clos Canon, rebranded Croix Canon from the 2012 vintage). Elegant, medium-bodied with mint, cherry and floral character; structured enough for 10+ years but designed for earlier pleasure.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Second wine of Lynch-Bages since 2007 (previously sold as Chateau Haut-Bages Averous). Higher Merlot component than the grand vin provides accessible fruit and earlier drinking; retains characteristic Lynch-Bages tobacco and cassis signature.

Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Saint-Julien Deuxieme Cru Classe (1855) in the super-second category: extraordinarily concentrated cassis fruit with near first-growth precision, dense tannins demanding patient cellaring of 15 or more years.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

100% Cabernet Franc from two old-vine parcels aged 65-100 years at the pied de cote. Produced in tiny quantities (5-9 barriques) only in exceptional vintages, this is a monument to the iron-mineral potential of old Cabernet Franc on Saint-Emilion limestone.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, incorporating grapes from younger vines and since 2006 from the former La Tour Haut-Brion vineyard. Shares the Talence gravel terroir; accessible dark fruit with cedar and spice, drinkable earlier than the grand vin.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

The Merlot-dominant second wine of Sociando-Mallet, offering earlier approachability with a more typically Médoc fruit profile than the austere and structured grand vin.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

An elegant and approachable expression of Saint-Julien from younger vines, with a higher Merlot proportion giving early accessibility and soft ripe fruit.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The second wine of Angelus, Merlot-dominant with a forward, polished character. Bright red fruit, soft spice and floral tones make it approachable younger than the grand vin while retaining the estate's Merlot generosity.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

The second red of Haut-Brion, renamed from Bahans Haut-Brion in 2007. Merlot-dominated in most vintages with the same Pessac terroir as the grand vin, but more approachable in youth, showing red plum, blueberry, and mineral freshness.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

The second red wine of Pape Clement since 1986. Merlot-dominant for approachability; round red cherry and currant fruit with cedar and soft spice notes. Designed for earlier drinking than the grand vin while reflecting the same Pessac terroir.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Third wine of Latour produced since 1989. Merlot-dominant and made primarily from young vines; developed for the restaurant market as a generously fruity, earlier-drinking Pauillac.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Easygoing

The second wine of Cheval Blanc: same terroir and typicity as the grand vin but in a more accessible, forward style. Charming black-fruit and cedar profile, silky tannins, and an earlier drinking window.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Elegant

The official second wine of Léoville-Las Cases since 2007, Merlot-dominant for earlier accessibility while retaining the Saint-Julien precision of the parent estate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Made specifically from younger vines harvested earlier to preserve freshness. Le Petit Mouton shows a younger, more approachable face of the Mouton house style: cassis-driven, with cedar and gentle tobacco, earlier-drinking but still structured.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Bold

Second wine of Latour from peripheral L'Enclos plots and younger vines, with a higher Merlot proportion than the grand vin. Retains Latour's mineral iron signature at a fraction of the price.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Second wine of Pontet-Canet since 1982. Produced in limited quantities as Alfred Tesseron prefers lower yields and declassification over large second-wine production; earlier-drinking, approachable Pauillac from biodynamic-certified vineyards.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Second wine of Cos d'Estournel since 1994; previously sold as Marbuzet. Shows a more Merlot-forward profile than the grand vin, with the estate's distinctive spice character in a more accessible format.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Produced from a separate 0.8-hectare crescent parcel with deeper soils, Les Pensees is not a second wine but a distinct expression of the Lafleur terroir. More Merlot-forward than the grand vin, with the same biodynamic farming and iron-mineral character.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Second wine of Troplong Mondot, Merlot-dominant with emphasis on freshness and early drinkability. A juicy, earthy black cherry and spring flower profile with wet-stone limestone terroir character; approachable and unpretentious.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Romantic

Second wine of Chateau Margaux (1855 Premier Cru Classe), sharing the same subtle power and floral finesse as the grand vin while offering earlier accessibility.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The renamed second wine of Beau-Sejour Becot (formerly Tournelle de Beau-Sejour Becot), renamed Petit Becot in 2012. Merlot-dominant with fresh red cherry character and gentle tannin; designed for early drinking pleasure.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Easygoing

The second wine of Chateau Figeac, one of the oldest second wines on the Right Bank (first produced 1945). Shares the same Cabernet-influenced gravel terroir and blending trio as the grand vin but from younger vines; lighter, more refined and more accessible earlier.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Elegant

Second wine of Pichon Lalande since 1973. Described by the estate as a true Pauillac brand in its own right. Higher Petit Verdot proportion adds structure and spice; the estate's characteristic silk texture is detectable even at this level.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Pomerol's most Cabernet-Franc-inflected grand vin: 30% Cabernet Franc gives an aromatic lift and structural precision that sets VCC apart from Merlot-dominant peers. Sensuous and silky in great vintages, with decades of ageing potential.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Maurizio Zanella's Bordeaux blend named after the founder, vinified at Erbusco and matured 18 to 24 months in French barriques. Blackcurrant and graphite aromatics with firm tannin and a long cedar finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Bordeaux-blend Friulian red from Bressan. Cabernet Franc-led blend matured in large Slavonian oak botti in the traditional house style.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury

The estate's Bordeaux blend named Cjarandon (Friulian for the local plum). Black plum, leather and graphite over a fine grainy tannin.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Grand cuvée of Pennautier in AOC Cabardes; an Atlantic-Mediterranean Cabernet-Merlot-Syrah-Grenache blend with elegant full-bodied palate, red and black fruit, undergrowth and tobacco.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Cabernet Franc from Anjou Noir schist. Bright red fruit, violets and graphite lift over fine tannin and herbal Loire freshness.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Bourgueil from the Beauvais terroir at Benais. Mid-weight, structured Cabernet Franc with mineral spine and a graphite finish, distinct from the limestone-driven Grand Mont.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing

Langlois's signature Brut Reserve: minimum 58 percent Chenin Blanc, balanced with Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, 10 percent reserve wines, and a minimum 24 months on the lees (double the appellation minimum). Linden blossom and baked pear on the nose, creamy mousse with biscuit and a mineral finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Fruity

Langlois's Cabernet Franc-dominant Cremant de Loire rose. Over 60 percent of the blend comes from clay-limestone terroirs of Montreuil-Bellay and Le Puy Notre-Dame, with 18 months on the lees: pale pink with copper notes, red berry and peach aromatics, fresh and easy on the palate.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Single-vineyard biodynamic Bourgueil from a clay-flint parcel. Mid-weight, dark-fruited Cabernet Franc with iron-mineral grip and a long saline finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Langlois's icon Cremant de Loire. Chenin Blanc-led with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, fully five years on the lees: dried apricot, toasted brioche and candied lemon, with a long honeyed pear and saline mineral palate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The estate's flagship cuvee, drawn from the oldest tuffeau-limestone parcels around the historic cellars. Demeter biodynamic Cabernet Franc with long ageing potential.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Alliet's gateway Chinon blends sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a juicy, mid-weight Cabernet Franc with the house's savoury, Bordeaux-trained signature in early-drinking form.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard biodynamic Bourgueil from a 4-hectare clay-and-gravel parcel. Darker, more structured than Trinch, with iron-mineral spine and a savoury, tobacco-laced length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Walled single-vineyard from tuffeau-limestone soils. Thierry Germain's flagship cuvee blends old oak and amphora ageing for a perfumed, mineral Cabernet Franc with serious cellar potential.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The walled clos opposite Chinon's chateau, owned by Couly-Dutheil since 1921. Tuffeau-limestone terroir gives cassis, cedar and a chalky mineral length in the estate's flagship Chinon.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The Joguet flagship from an old-vines clay-limestone clos planted in 1953. Powerful, structured Cabernet Franc with cedar, graphite and a leathery, slowly-evolving finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

South-facing limestone clos above Chinon town, with vines planted in the 1970s. More vertical and stony than Dioterie, with dark-blue fruit and a chalky, mineral length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

South-facing tuffeau-limestone parcel above the Vienne. Alliet's most structured cuvee: cassis, cedar and a chalky mineral grip in the Left-Bank-influenced house style.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Couly-Dutheil's prestige cuvee from the best clay-limestone parcels of Clos de l'Echo. Heavily barriqued, structured for long ageing, with cedar, sweet spice and a chalky graphite finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The estate's gateway Bourgueil from sand-and-gravel terraces. Bright, juicy Cabernet Franc with red plum and herbal lift, ready in its first decade.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Fruity

Thierry Germain's village-level Saumur-Champigny under Demeter biodynamic farming. Bright, lifted Cabernet Franc with violet and red plum over a saline mineral spine.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing

Ackerman's value Cremant de Loire blanc. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc vinified in stainless steel and aged 12 to 16 months on the lees: yellow peach and white-flower aromas, lively attack, suave mid-palate, slightly tart finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

Joguet's gateway Chinon from sand-and-gravel terraces. Bright, juicy and herbal Cabernet Franc to drink in its first few years, lightly chilled.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

A village-level Chinon from clay-gravel parcels near the church at Sazilly. Mid-weight Cabernet Franc with classical Loire poise: red fruit, mineral grip and a lifted finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing

The estate's gravel-terrace blend and gateway to Bernard Baudry's house style: bright raspberry and violet over a fine-grained Cabernet Franc backbone, ready to drink in its first few years.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Festive

Saigne-method Cabernet Franc Cremant de Loire. Intense pink-salmon hue, wild strawberry and ripe peach aromas, a broad and gently tannic palate with a soft mousse.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Bottled from ungrafted Cabernet Franc planted on sand soils. Lighter-footed and more aromatic than the limestone cuvees, with rose and wild raspberry over a fine-grained mineral spine.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Single-vineyard Bourgueil from the Grand Mont tuffeau-limestone slope at Bourgueil town. Pierre-Jacques Druet's structured, age-worthy Cabernet Franc with cassis and chalk.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Clay-flint single vineyard at Cravant. Denser and darker than Vieilles Vignes, with blackberry, iron and a saline length from the unusual soil mix.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

A mid-tier Chinon between Rene Couly and Clos de l'Echo. Mid-weight, structured Cabernet Franc from clay-limestone parcels near Chinon town.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Limestone-grown Cabernet Franc from the highest, latest-ripening parcel at Cravant. Denser, more vertical and slower-developing than Les Grezeaux, with chalky minerality and high-toned cassis fruit.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The estate's gateway Chinon, blending sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a mid-weight, juicy Cabernet Franc with classical Loire poise and a mineral finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Single-vineyard Bourgueil from a tuffeau-limestone parcel at Benais. Yannick and Benoit Amirault's structured, age-worthy Cabernet Franc with cassis and graphite.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The estate's Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil cuvee from sand-and-gravel terraces. Bright, juicy Cabernet Franc with classic Loire poise and a saline finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The Foucault brothers' cult cuvee, born from a single tuffeau-limestone parcel at Chace. Dense, perfumed Cabernet Franc with cedar, graphite and a chalky, mineral length that defines what Saumur-Champigny can be.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

The estate's village-level cuvee, blending parcels around the cellars at Chace. More accessible than Le Bourg and Les Poyeux but with the Clos Rougeard signature: fine tannin, mineral length, and a perfumed lift.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

South-facing clay-limestone clos planted in 1989 just below the La Croix Boissee parcel. More aromatic and floral than its sibling, with red-plum fruit, fine-grained tannins and a saline length.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Bourgueil from a walled gravel-and-tuffeau clos around the estate. Mid-weight, structured Cabernet Franc with classic Loire savoury depth and a fine mineral spine.

Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing

Sand-and-gravel terrace Cabernet Franc from the river terraces around Savigny-en-Veron. Bright, light-footed and tank-aged for early drinking, lightly chilled.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Cabernet Franc from clay-flint soils above the Vienne. Sappy cassis-and-graphite fruit framed by fine-grained tannins, named for the small dog-shaped rocks that flank the parcel.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Saumur-Champigny from a tuffeau-limestone parcel at Dampierre-sur-Loire. The Vatan family's structured Cabernet Franc with cassis, graphite and saline length.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Bourgueil from gravel-on-clay terroir. The Caslot family's Demeter-certified biodynamic style: poised, mineral Cabernet Franc with red fruit and graphite.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Elegant

The Baudry single-vineyard on gravel-over-clay terraces above the Vienne, picked from vines planted between 1969 and 1980. Mineral, dark-fruited Cabernet Franc with savoury depth and an iron-tinged finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil from gravel-over-tuffeau soils. More structured than La Source, with iron-mineral spine and a savoury, tobacco-laced length.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Old-vine biodynamic Bourgueil from a tuffeau-limestone parcel. The Bretons' flagship: cassis, chalk and graphite Cabernet Franc with serious cellar potential.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

A clay-limestone single vineyard that has produced Raffault's library-aged flagship since the 1940s. Released only after long bottle age, it shows leather, dried fruit and tertiary forest-floor depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Cult Saumur-Champigny from the Les Poyeux climat. More aromatic and slightly lighter-footed than Le Bourg, with dark cherry, tobacco and a long, fine-tannin mineral length.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Gravel-terrace single vineyard along the Vienne, picked from vines averaging 50 years. Bright, lifted Cabernet Franc with rose, raspberry and pebble-mineral minerality.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The estate's flagship single-vineyard cuvee, named for Philippe Vatan's daughters Lise and Agathe. Tuffeau-limestone Cabernet Franc with cedar, chalk and a savoury, espresso-tinged finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Festive

Ackerman's iconic Cremant de Loire, named for the son of founder Jean-Baptiste Ackerman. Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc each vinified separately, blended for harmony: ripe white and red fruit, brioche and dried fruit length, with a delicately spiced white-pepper finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Old-vine Cabernet Franc from clay-limestone parcels. The estate's structured mid-range cuvee, sitting between Cuvee Domaine and Clos de l'Echelier in profile.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing

Easygoing Anjou Cabernet Franc from organic schist parcels. A concentrate of elegance and tension; accessible and easy-to-drink.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Funky

The Bretons' zero-added-sulfite Cabernet Franc, a pioneering natural-wine cuvee since 1996. Vibrant, crunchy red fruit and wild-herb lift, ideally drunk young and slightly chilled.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The estate's gateway Bourgueil, blending sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a juicy, biodynamic Cabernet Franc to drink in its first decade.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Old-vine Cabernet Franc from tuffeau limestone parcels at Ligre. Denser and more vertical than Les Chiens-Chiens, with dark berry fruit and a chalky, mineral spine.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

Named for Rene Couly, who founded the firm in 1921. The estate's gateway Chinon: juicy, fresh Cabernet Franc from sand-and-gravel parcels, vinified for early drinking.

Dry · Light-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing

Direct-press Cabernet Franc rose from the estate's clay-and-gravel terraces. Pale salmon in colour, savoury and mineral rather than fruit-forward, finishing dry and saline.

Dry · Light-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing

Saigne-method Cabernet Franc rose. Pale salmon, savoury and mineral rather than candied, finishing dry and saline.

Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Festive

Ackerman's Chardonnay-led Cremant de Loire Royal. 36 months on the lees lend tertiary dried-fruit and almond notes, balanced by zesty lemon and a buttery, biscuity Chardonnay character with a long, dry finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The Bretons' natural-leaning gateway Bourgueil. Crunchy, juicy and low-sulfite Cabernet Franc, picked from younger gravel-terrace parcels and vinified for early drinking.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The estate's gateway Saumur-Champigny, named for the tuffeau stone that defines the appellation. Mid-weight, juicy Cabernet Franc from sand-and-gravel parcels, vinified for early drinking.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The estate's library-aged flagship from old-vine tuffeau-limestone parcels. Released only after extended cellaring, with cedar, chalk and a savoury, espresso-tinged length.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Bordeaux-trained Philippe Alliet's old-vine Chinon, picked from gravel terraces along the Vienne. Mid-weight, structured Cabernet Franc with dark fruit and iron-mineral spine.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Single-vineyard mono-varietal Cabernet Franc from Pardas. Long ageing, structured, built for the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Estate Bordeaux-style red from fossil-rich Massis del Garraf limestone. Garrigue-herb and graphite-mineral expression of the terroir.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Single-vineyard Merlot-led Bordeaux blend from Pares Balta. Named for co-winemaker Maria Elena Jimenez.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend from organic Mas Comtal. Mid-weight Penedes red for everyday drinking.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Finca Les Arnes parcel on Silurian slate soils. Long ageing in French oak.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Cab Franc-led blend from organic Pardas in the Bitlles river valley. Wild boar print labels (Sus Scrofa) reflect the Mediterranean forest reserve at the estate.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Single-vineyard Cabernet Franc from the Vinya Le Havre plot at Torrelavit, an unusual mono-varietal Cab Franc for Penedes.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold

Knipser's pioneering Pfalz Bordeaux blend: dark cherry, cedar, dried herbs and firm tannin from Cabernet-Merlot parcels in the north Pfalz.

Dry · Elegant · Bold

Dry · Contemplative · Elegant

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Burdese is Planeta's prestige Cabernet Sauvignon-Franc blend, named in Sicilian dialect for Bordeaux. Grown at Ulmo in Menfi, the wine achieves the concentration of ripeness that Sicily's sun provides while preserving the variety's structural backbone through altitude and careful vinification.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

La Segreta Rosso is Planeta's multi-varietal entry red: Nero d'Avola blended with Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc for a smooth, approachable and consistent everyday Sicilian red with broad food versatility.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Castello di Ama's Bordeaux-blend Toscana IGT with Sangiovese leading and Cabernet Franc adding aromatic lift.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Antinori's flagship Bolgheri Superiore DOC, a polished Bordeaux blend from the family's coastal Bolgheri estate.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Le Macchiole's annata Bolgheri DOC, an accessible blend showcasing the estate's three varietal flagships.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Pure Cabernet Franc Toscana IGT from Le Macchiole at Bolgheri (100% Cabernet Franc since the 2001 vintage).

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Ornellaia's second wine, Merlot-led Bordeaux blend from younger Bolgheri vineyards.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Masseto's second wine, introduced 2017. Merlot-Cabernet Franc Toscana IGT from younger Masseto vines.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

Pure Cabernet Franc Bolgheri Superiore from Antinori, the estate's single-varietal showcase from a 4-hectare parcel.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Lodovico Antinori's Bolgheri Bordeaux-blend, founded 1981. Bolgheri Superiore DOC under Frescobaldi ownership; Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2001 for the 1998 vintage.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The founding Super Tuscan: a Bordeaux blend planted at Bolgheri in 1944 by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Granted its own single-estate DOC in 1994.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Bordeaux-blend Super Tuscan from Selvapiana, Cabernet-led Toscana IGT from Rufina vineyards.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Cabernet-led sibling of Tignanello, denser and more international in profile, with cassis and graphite intensity over a long Tuscan acid spine.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Sangiovese-led Bordeaux-supported Toscana IGT from Frescobaldi's Castiglioni estate, the daily-drinking Super Tuscan.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Sangiovese-led Super Tuscan with a Bordeaux skeleton: violet-and-cherry aromatics, firm graphite tannins and a long savoury finish that rewards bottle age.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Tua Rita's Bordeaux-blend Super Tuscan from Suvereto, the Cabernet-led complement to Redigaffi.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

Quintarelli's Bordeaux varieties treated to the Valpolicella appassimento method: dried Cabernet and Merlot producing extraordinary density, graphite-inflected fruit and a seamlessly long finish.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

A blend of local Corvina with international Cabernet in the Quintarelli style: concentrated, savoury and structured, with the Bordeaux varieties adding colour and spine to the Valpolicella base.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The flagship of the Montello DOCG, a structured Bordeaux-blend red. Serafini and Vidotto pioneered Bordeaux-variety production on the Montello hills in the 1980s. Il Rosso dell'Abazia is the cornerstone wine of the designation.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Phigaia is the accessible second wine from Serafini and Vidotto, allowing the estate to express the Montello terroir at a lower price point. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is lighter, fresher and more immediately enjoyable than Il Rosso dell'Abazia.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Rustic

A Cabernet-focused red from the volcanic slopes of the Euganean Hills. The Colli Euganei DOC allows Cabernet varieties and Vignalta's version shows the distinctive mineral thread of volcanic soil combined with the classic Cabernet Franc herbal character.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Gemola is the flagship red of Vignalta in the Euganean Hills. The volcanic basalt soils give a distinctive mineral thread to this Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend, contrasting with the softer alluvial reds of the plain.