Hello my dear friends! Today, as you probably already guessed, we are going to talk about a grape variety that has gained a lot of followers not just in South America but around the world.
The ubiquitous Cabernet Franc now punches above its weight in Argentina, yielding some of the most exciting wine releases in recent years. Plantings have doubled over the last decade, reaching more than 1,050 hectares today, according to Argentina’s National Institute of Viticulture, making Cabernet Franc one of Argentina’s fastest-growing categories.
Since we proudly represent Monte Quieto Bodegas de Familia - definitely one of those visionary wineries that betted heavily on Cabernet Franc blends - we have learned the distinctive profile of this grape through their amazing wines, all of unparalleled elegance.
But why? What makes this Cabernet Franc so especial?
To speak of Cabernet Franc as a novelty is definitely a mistake. Any wine lover should know that it is one of the oldest grapes in the world. It has even been credited with being one of two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Merlot according to genetic studies. Not only popular among winemakers, this red Bordeaux variety is a favorite among sommeliers around the world and commonly appears on wine lists of many countries’ top restaurants and bars. In France, where it has been cultivated for centuries, it shines in the vineyards of the Loire Valley, especially in the Chinon and Anjou, while in Bordeaux it is a key piece of the great wines of Saint-Émilion, in general combined with Merlot. In both regions, no one can deny the importance of Franc although consumers know very little of its existence, since these wines are sought out at the mere mention of their origin. However, in Italy some high-end wineries have started to mentioning it on their labels. The same is happening in some areas of the New World, among them Argentina, of course, which is responsible for taking it to the forefront of every international publication. Its popularity is also growing in the United States and also in Chile, Australia and South Africa.
Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, producing a bright pale red wine that contributes finesse and lends a peppery perfume to blends with other more robust grapes. Depending on the growing region and style of wine, additional aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, bell pepper, cassis, and violets. In general, Cabernet Franc is pretty similar to Cabernet Sauvignon in terms of cultivation, but buds and ripens at least a week earlier. This trait allows the vine to thrive in slightly cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon, quite an advantage. Actually Cabernet Franc has proven to adapt to a wide variety of vineyard soil types. That said it seems to thrive in sandy, chalk soils, producing heavier, more full bodied wines there.
Plantings in Argentina have been producing top quality wines in recent years, and the varietal has been claimed as having the most potential in the country after Malbec. Squeeze Magazine has called it "the new, handsome superhero of Mendoza's wine scene". In 2014, the highest scoring Argentine wine in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate was a Cabernet Franc scored at 97 points. Cabernet Franc can be bottled alone, making lighter-bodied wines than the country's typical Malbecs.
Although the boom in Cabernet Franc is relatively new, the history of Cabernet Franc, as we know it today, began in the 1990s, when the winemaker Roberto de la Motta promoted the importation of high quality genetic material from France. From then on, the cultivation of Franc grew slowly to be used as a blending component, while the hectares of Malbec grew by thousands each year. Today, Argentina has just 1,150 hectares of Franc, versus the 33,000 hectares it covers in France. However, this varietal already stands out in more than one Argentine region. The world has begun to recognize the quality of the Cabernet Franc of these lands. Valle de Uco and Luján de Cuyo are undoubtedly the regions that lead the race, while Patagonia, the Calchaquí Valley (Salta) and Pedernal Valley (San Juan) have much potential to discover.
Alejandro Vigil, the winemaker at Catena Zapata in Mendoza, discovered centenarian vineyards of Cabernet Franc while doing a viticulture census when he worked for the National Agriculture Institute in the 1990s. When he joined Catena in 2002, he began experimenting with Cabernet Franc in several of Mendoza’s wine regions. “Even with the same genetic material,” he said, “the wines were totally different depending on where they came from.” The pliancy intrigued him, and today, alongside Catena’s wines, Vigil produces four highly sought after single-vineyard Cabernet Francs under his own label, El Enemigo. “I love the plasticity and purity of the variety,” he says. “It’s very terroir transparent.”
Bodegas Garzón located close to Punta del Este, La Barra, and Jose Ignacio, is an Uruguayan winery that has also gained notoriety and accolades for its use of Cabernet Franc.
Other acclaimed producers of Cabernet Franc include our dear Agustin Casabal y Matilde Pered, owners of the boutique winery Monte Quieto. They’ve discovered that extra especial correlation between Cabernet Franc and limestone. More importantly, they did it in times of Malbec, when nobody really believed in the infinite potential of Cabernet Franc. They are true pioneers of those elegant Bordeaux-style blends made in the very heart of Mendoza, especifically in Ugarteche and Agrelo, at Luján de Cuyo and Vista Flores, at Tunuyán.
Augustín and Matilde, happily beholding their vineyards at dusk.
Together Augustín and Matilde created Quieto (100% Cabernet Franc), of intense violet color. The terroir of Agrelo, where it comes from, is reflected in the complexity and expressive aromas of this wine. Quieto offers notes of potent spices, eucalyptus, red capsicum as well as cherry, with a vegetal edge, which brighten and invite the senses. It is the perfect wine to pair with grilled vegetables and red meats such as pork or duck.
Alegre Gran Corte de Cabernet Franc is another 100% Cabernet Franc creation by Monte Quieto. This wine shows an intense color with expressive and complex aromas, of menthol , spices and green pepper. It reminds of blackberries, black currants, sour cherries and balsamic notes. The aging in oak barrels give the wine structure and caramel notes. In the mouth is vibrant with elegant tannins. Ideal to pair grilled vegetables, stews and red meats.
The excellence of Monte Quieto starts right on the vineyards and ends
with each beautifully balanced wine they produce.
Alegre Gran Corte Blend de Terroirs is their signature blend. A Bordeaux style wine, with 40% Cabernet Franc, 37% Malbec and 23% Syrah. The vibrant aromatic notes are driven by plum, dry fruit and minty notes on the nose. On the palate this wine is exceptionally balanced, with unique complexity. Ideal to pair with spicy and aromatic haute cuisine, legumes, red meats, duck and pork. Definitely a 'must'!
Last but not least, we would like to recommend you Enlace, another blend (52% Cabernet Franc - 27% Malbec - 21% Syrah) aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, then for 12 months in stainless steel tanks and finally, before release, another 24 months in the bottle. This is a wine you will not forget, that perfectly portraits the vibrancy, plasticity and endless potential of Cabernet Franc. Decanting it 40 minutes before consumption will offer you a much more complete expression. It marries superbly with stews and slow cooking meals, truffles and mushrooms.
Although we avoid comparisons when it comes to wine, we must say that Cabernet Franc has several advantages when compared to Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon since it is easier to drink and offers exotic aromas that seduce consumers and tasters alike. It is also referred to as 'a very transparent grape' that expresses its terroir amazingly well. It’s the combination of taste, sense of place and character which makes the variety so unique. It transpires life and charisma.
And that's a wrap for today! See you all next Wednesday!
Until then, santé!
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