Cabernet Franc Fine Wine
Cabernet Franc Fine Wine
Too often cast as a blending grape, Cabernet Franc more than holds its own in the spotlight. From the graphite-tinged, red-fruited elegance of the Loire to the richer, sun-kissed styles of the New World, this variety is all about freshness, perfume, and finesse. Think raspberry, violet, and a gentle herbal edge—all wrapped in fine-boned tannins. Whether you’re exploring Chinon, Saumur, or something more adventurous from Argentina or South Africa, Cabernet Franc delivers complexity without shouting. Subtle, savoury, and endlessly drinkable.
Staff Picks
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Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Cabernet Franc, MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red93-94 Points - James Suckling. One of Saint-Émilion's most prestigious Grand Cru's, located right next door to the famed Château Cheval Blanc. From the oldest surviving wine producing château in Saint-Émilion comes this incredible Grand Cru Classe wine from a fabulous vintage. A sensationally moreish, fragrant and textured wine created by the renowned Olivier Decelle. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings 93-94 Points - James Suckling "A dense and linear fruit. Gorgeous already." 91-Regular Price£55.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£41.97 -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EstepheGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Andreas Larsson. Château Tour des Termes is one Saint-Estephe’s finest Cru Bourgeois Superieur. The 2014 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot from vineyards that border the Grand Cru Classé estates of Chateau Calon Ségur and Chateau Montrose. 2014 was a lovely year, one that’s been unfairly overshadowed by 2015 and 2016. The upside to this has been that the wines remain competitively priced and now offer exceptional drinking at affo -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EstepheGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux. The Chateau Andron-Blanquet Saint-Estephe 2016 is a must-buy for any Bordeaux wine lover. With a host of major awards to its name, this brilliant estate offers exceptional value for money, particularly in fine vintages such as 2016. A classic blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it offers a seductively soft and fruity nose that's bordered by tones of smoke, peppers and violets. Rich, ripe, and mouth-filling, the palate is full of black fruits wiRegular Price£32.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£24.72 -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, Tradouw ValleyGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full RedJoubert Tradauw Reserwe Cabernet Franc 2021 is an elegant, multi-layered red with a structured palate and refined depth. Crafted by a passionate family producer renowned for their minimal intervention approach and unique terroir, this wine has garnered praise from critics and wine lovers alike, representing the very best of South African craftsmanship. TasteA classic, well-balanced Cabernet Franc with generous layers of sweet red and dark hedgerow fruit, stewed apple, and cranberry. Subtle spiceRegular Price£48.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£36.72
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Country: South Africa, Western Cape, Walker BayGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, MalbecABV: 12.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedKleinboet (Little Brother) is a Bordeaux blend, featuring all 5 varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot aged in french oak for 24 months. The cool climate sub region of Sondagskloof, Walker Bay, brings natural acidity and minerality to the wines. Expect intense blackcurrant, lavender, black olive and fynbos on the nose with a supple and and round palate. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Sept 2024) Taste Brick red to deep purple with aromas of blackcurrant, lavender, bla -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EstepheGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Andreas Larsson. Château Tour des Termes is one Saint-Estephe’s finest Cru Bourgeois Superieur. The 2014 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot from vineyards that border the Grand Cru Classé estates of Chateau Calon Ségur and Chateau Montrose. 2014 was a lovely year, one that’s been unfairly overshadowed by 2015 and 2016. The upside to this has been that the wines remain competitively priced and now offer exceptional drinking at affo -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, Walker BayGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red100% Cabernet franc and the only single block wine in the HPF portfolio. Swartskaap (Black Sheep) is recognised as one of South Africa’s best in what is considered a challenging cultivar. European in style and offering nuances of black olive, generous fruit and fynbos spice finishing with finesse & complexity. Vivino Score: 4.3 (Sept 2024) Taste Violet to ruby red, aromas of black olive, fynbos, spice, on the palate minerality, elegance, finesse & complexity. Maturation: New and 2nd fil -
Country: Chile, Curico ValleyGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points - Patricio Tapia - Descorchados. A true standout from Chile, Caballo Loco Grand Cru Sagrada Familia 2021 is a rich and expressive red that blends power with finesse. Sourced from the warm Curicó Valley, this wine is bursting with ripe black fruit, dark chocolate, and spice, all wrapped in velvety tannins. Crafted by Valdivieso’s innovative Caballo Loco project, this Grand Cru captures the essence of its terroir while delivering depth, complexity, and a long, satisfying finish. Drink n -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Cabernet Franc, MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red93-94 Points - James Suckling. One of Saint-Émilion's most prestigious Grand Cru's, located right next door to the famed Château Cheval Blanc. From the oldest surviving wine producing château in Saint-Émilion comes this incredible Grand Cru Classe wine from a fabulous vintage. A sensationally moreish, fragrant and textured wine created by the renowned Olivier Decelle. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings 93-94 Points - James Suckling "A dense and linear fruit. Gorgeous already." 91-Regular Price£55.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£41.97 -
Country: France, BordeauxGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red90 Points - Decanter. No ordinary Bordeaux Superieur, Chateau Lagrave Paran is nestled on a micro-property spanning approximately 3.5 hectares, this under-the-radar winemaker lavishes each vine with the utmost care, resulting in excellent wines year after year. The wine's soft, maturing black-currant fruits reflect the vintage's relative lightness, while oak aging gracefully smooths the tannins and imparts a final, juicy character. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Aug 2024) Wine Press Ratings 90 Points - Dec -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red95 Points - Decanter. One of Saint-Émilion's most prestigious Grand Cru's, located right next door to the famed Château Cheval Blanc. From the oldest surviving wine producing château in Saint-Émilion comes this incredible Grand Cru Classe wine from a fabulous vintage. A sensationally moreish, fragrant and textured wine created by the renowned Olivier Decelle. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jun 2024) Wine Press Ratings 95 Points - Decanter "Wonderfully floral cherry notes on the nose here - ripe, vibrant an -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet FrancABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedIn common with all the leading properties in Saint Emilion, Chateau Palais Cardinal produced an exceptional 2022. Given 92/93 points from James Suckling, the 50-year-old vines allow Nicolas Ballande to produce an outstanding wine. In many ways the 2022 was the result of work that was started in 2008. It was then that this ancient estate was given a new lease of life after years of underperformance. The winery was completely overhauled with outdated presses and vats being replaced by state-of-the -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, PaarlGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet FrancABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red95 Points / Gold Medal - IWSC. Bacco Estate Red Blend is the flagship wine from one of Paarl’s rising stars. Crafted from a Bordeaux-inspired blend with a nod to Italy’s Super Tuscans, it’s a bold, expressive red that combines Old World structure with New World intensity — a wine with serious pedigree and undeniable character. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (July 2025) Wine Press Ratings 95 Points / Gold Medal - IWSC (2021 Vintage) "Elegant nose showcasing blackcurrant and well-integrated oak. Ripe tannins -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red91 Points - Descorchados. Over the last few years, Argentinean Cabernet Franc has got a lot of wine critics very excited. One taste of the Catena Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc and it’s easy to see why. Argentina’s pioneering Catena family could be set to do for Cabernet Franc what they did for Malbec. Made from fruit sourced from the family´s historic high-altitude vineyards (1,090m/3,576ft above sea level) in San Carlos, the sandy loam soils are perfect for Cabernet Franc, delivering sm -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points - James Suckling. A fascinating new release from the Catena Institute’s historical vineyard project, The Birth of Cabernet is more than just a name — it’s a tribute to the earliest Cabernet vines planted in Mendoza in the early 20th century. Drawn from old vines in Agrelo, this 2021 is a snapshot of place and time: cool nights, low yields, and a long growing season delivering purity, poise and quiet power. Vivino Rating: 4.4 (May 2025) Wine Press Ratings 96 Points - James Suckling (202 -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Lalande de PomerolGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red90 Points - James Suckling. The Chateau Pavillon Beauregard hails from Lalande de Pomerol, a commune of Bordeaux that made the most of the fantastic 2019 vintage. Lalande de Pomerol's best wines share many of the characteristics of the wines from its more famous neighbour, while offering great value for money - something no one could accuse Pomerol of doing. The Chateau Pavillon Beauregard 2019 received 90 points from The Wine Independent, and it's easy to see why. With its plump nose of crushed -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.4%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Tim Atkin MW. There were only 5,000 bottles produced of this un-oaked Cabernet Franc, from vineyards situated at over 1,000 metres high. Highly praised by the International Wine Press, this is a medium bodied wine, with a wonderful complexity of herbaceous and dark fruit notes, firm tannins and a fresh acidity. Vivino Rating: 4.0 (September 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - Tim Atkin MW (2022 Vintage) Taste Refreshing, medium-bodied with firm tannins and grains and fresh acidity. -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PomerolGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic RedThe second wine of Château Rouget. The terroirs dedicated to Le Carillon de Rouget are slightly higher than the ones selected for Château Rouget. This, combined with the relative youth of the vines, compared to the ones of the Grand Vin, result in earlier ripening and give the wine its roundness and appealing character. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (June 2025) Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc TasteWith a burst of cherry and blueberry flavors, the taste is rich and concentrated, with youthful tannins -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red91 Points - James Suckling. Second wines in great years have always been a great way for Bordeaux wine lovers to enjoy something special without breaking the bank. The Petit Corbin-Despagne Saint-Emilion 2018 is a prime example of this. The second wine of the Grand Cru Classe, Chateau Grand Corbin-Despagne, it shares much of its big brother's class and style, but being made from younger vines it's approachable young. Leading critic James Suckling gave the Petit Corbin-Despagne Saint-Emilion 2018 -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red93 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Château Fonroque produced an excellent wine in 2017. The 2017 vintage was unusual and not without its challenges. A hard (-6°C) frost on the 28th of April reduced the potential crop significantly as did a lack of rain in the spring. Happily a dry summer and sunny autumn allowed Fonroque to bring in a relatively small, but healthy harvest. The grand vin is a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, a mix that played to the vintage’s strengths. Typically powerful and -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13%Style: Rich Full Red90 Points - Gilbert et Gaillard. The Waterford Estate Antigo 2020 is a distinguished red blend hailing from the renowned Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The name “Antigo” is inspired by the distinctive red clay soils of the specific Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard that forms the backbone of this blend. These rich soils impart a unique character to the wine, offering plush and elegant fruit aromatics, along with softer, sweeter tannins compared to other Waterford Estate offerings. -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red91 Points - Jane Anson. Vignobles K’s Right Bank 2022 brings together some of the most celebrated terroirs of Bordeaux’s right bank in a single, precise blend. Saint-Émilion’s limestone, Pomerol’s rich clays, Lalande de Pomerol’s fine gravels, and Castillon’s red limestone each contribute their own character. This is a fascinating expression of the region’s diversity - a wine shaped by careful site selection, tailored vinification, and thoughtful ageing. The result is classic right bank Bordeaux -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, MalbecABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Keet Wines epitomises viticulturist and oenologist Christopher Keet’s philosophy that the art of viticulture and winemaking lies in the focus, attention to detail and precision nurturing of vine and wine. The grapes are sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Stellenbosch area including the slopes of the Helderberg, Stellenbosch Mountain, Simonsberg and the Polkadraai area. An understanding of this special terroir, meticulous site selection and attention to det -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, StellenboschGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Inspired by the world-renowned wines of the famed ‘Right Bank’ of Bordeaux’s Garonne River, the vision of De Toren Z originated, followed by the maiden vintage release in 2004. The exact same quality, precision and winemaking philosophy that De Toren is so well known for, would be used to craft an equal for the Left-Bank, De Toren Fusion V. This complementary Right-Bank Bordeaux styled wine is today better known as the eminent, De Toren Z. Vivino Rating: 4.4 (Sept 2025) -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PomerolGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 12.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedIt's rare to find an affordable Pomerol, but it's almost unheard of to find a mature affordable Pomerol, but that's what we have with the Chateau Guillot Clauzel 2013. 2013 was a tough year for winemakers, and the harvest was small due to problems with rot, but the best worked hard to bring in a small crop of fresh, elegant wines that are now at their peak. The Guillot Clauzel 2013 is a fine example of this. The winemaking team didn't try and force the extract, rather, they let the gentle red anRegular Price£49.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£37.47 -
Country: USA, California, Napa ValleyGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit VerdotABV: 14.2%Style: Rich Full Red91 Points - Decanter. Beau Vigne Amendment XXI 2022 perfectly synthesizes the power and complexity of Napa Valley’s best red blends: it layers rich, dark fruit with elegant oak and spice, all balanced by the estate’s signature smoothness and structure. Produced by a boutique, sustainably-minded estate, Amendment XXI embodies the craftsmanship and terroir-driven approach that have made Beau Vigne a hidden gem among Napa’s top producers; delivering immediate pleasure and impressive cellar potentia -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, MalbecABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Wine Enthusiast. The Pahlmeyer Jayson Red 2020 is a bold Napa blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. Bursting with black cherry, wild strawberry, and earthy undertones, it’s vibrant yet polished. Aged 15 months in 65% new French oak, this wine delivers rich layers of berry fruit with silky tannins and a lasting finish. Vivino Rating: 4.4 (Jun 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - Wine Enthusiast "This bold and fully ripe-tasting wine showers t -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Castillon – Cotes de BordeauxGrapes: Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - James Suckling. A pure expression of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, made with a Burgundian focus on terroir. Sourced from green and blue clay soils in Sainte-Colombe, this un-oaked 2021 is bright, juicy and vibrant, with pure red and black fruit and a fresh, mineral finish. Wine Press Ratings 92 Points - James Suckling (2021 Vintage) "This is wonderfully fruity with mulberries, citrus fruit and some wet earth. It's medium-bodied and deliciously fruity all the way through. Yet, it’s in-check
