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Cabernet Franc

The ultimate guide to Cabernet Franc wines in South America

by Amanda Barnes December 2, 2022

As we celebrate Cabernet Franc Day this 4th December, we wanted to bring you the ultimate guide to Cabernet Franc in South America. Cabernet Franc has boomed in recent years to become one of the emerging stars and best red wines in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Find out what makes Cabernet Franc wines from South America unique and worth hunting down…

The ultimate guide to Cabernet Franc in South America

Key descriptors

Deep purple colour. Aromas of red fruit, flowers & wild herbs. Dry, refreshing (medium +) acidity and fine, peppery (medium) tannins with a medium to full body.

Winemaking styles

There are only limited plantings of Cabernet Franc and it’s one of the hottest grape varieties at the moment, so winemaking is typically focused on making premium wines. Hand-harvesting, moderate maceration periods (2-3 weeks), fermented in stainless steel, concrete or barrel, and usually aged for <12 months in neutral oak, finishing with a moderate level of alcohol (14%). Monovarietals and blends.

Guide to Chilean Cabernet Franc wines

Hectares planted: 1,692 hectares

December 2, 2022 0 comment

Cabernet Franc Chile Fruity Fresh Colchagua Wines

Santa Rita Floresta Cabernet Franc

by Amanda Barnes June 9, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

More about the wine

When you think of Cabernet Franc, coastal regions may not be what spring to mind, but this fresh and peppery red from the granitic soils of Colchagua’s coastal hills shows great precision and elegance. It is spicy, vibrant and filled with energy and this is a really exciting direction for coastal Colchagua and Chilean Cabernet Franc.

More about the winery

Viña Santa Rita is one of Chile’s leading producers and also one of the Maipo wineries most worth visiting, not only for the impressive portfolio of wines, but for its rich history and heritage. Founded in 1880, Santa Rita winery is one of the oldest and longest-standing in Chile but the estate’s history stretches back much further and was in fact a refuge for 120 independence soldiers in 1814. Today 120 is the name of Santa Rita’s entry-level wine, but production ranges from mid-level Medalla Real to their top ranges including the excellent Floresta line and seductive Casa Real Cabernet, under the expert hand of top Chilean winemaker Sebastián Labbé and his team with grapes from all over Chile. With a beautiful landscaped park and gardens, 19th century mansion now Hotel Casa Real, neo-gothic chapel, Andean museum, Doña Paula Restaurant and vineyard tours for all, save plenty of time for a visit.

Read more about Viña Santa Rita

June 9, 2022 0 comment

Cabernet Franc Argentina Fruity Uco Valley (Mendoza) Wines Fresh

La Celia Pioneer Cabernet Franc

by Amanda Barnes June 9, 2022

written by Amanda Barnes

More about the wine

One of the early adopters of Cabernet Franc, La Celia’s pioneer line is all about celebrating its long-standing relationship with this increasingly important variety in Argentina. Structured and yet smooth, this is a nice classic example from Uco.

More about the winery

One of the oldest wineries in the Uco Valley, La Celia was established in 1890 by Eugenio Bustos — after whom the town was later named. Eugenio left his estate to his daughter, Celia, which is where the estate’s name comes from today, and in 2000 Viña San Pedro bought the property.

With over 400 hectares of vineyards to choose from, winemaker Andrea Ferreyra makes a range of wines which focus on Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. The mid-range Pioneer line offers great value, while Elite and Heritage are elegant exponents of Uco, and its recently launched Terruño is the top of the top. You can visit La Celia for a tasting and tour, or even stay overnight at their posada by the vines.

Read more about La Celia

June 9, 2022 0 comment

Benmarco Expresivo Malbec Cabernet Franc from Susana Balbo Wines, wine tasting note

Argentina Uco Valley (Mendoza) Wines Spicy Malbec

Susana Balbo Wines Benmarco Expresivo

by Clorrie Yeomans September 30, 2021

written by Clorrie Yeomans

More about Benmarco Expresivo

Benmarco Expresivo Malbec (85%) and Cabernet Franc (15%) blend from Susana Balbo Wines is an exotic wine with a complex nose of cassis, black pepper and cardamom. It is lively, fresh and incredibly long, and shows the more feminine side to Gualtallary, while still delivering the remarkable trademark minerality in the finish.

The BenMarco wines are a special range dedicated to the viticulturist, conceived from the vineyard to express the purity of every terroir with non-intervention winemaking. The focus is on picking at the optimal moment, using natural yeast for fermentation when possible, avoiding acidity adjustments, and racking into second- and third-use barrels.

More about Susana Balbo Wines

Susana Balbo Wines is the family winery of winemaker Susana Balbo and was established in 1999. It is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza and the winery is run by Susana, her two children José and Ana, and one of Argentina’s top viticulturists, Edy del Popolo.

The winery’s philosophy is to focus on sustainability, with a strong commitment to the environment and local community; terroir knowledge, by reflecting some of Argentina’s best wine terroirs in their wines; and winemaking skills, drawing on the team’s extensive experience.

Learn more about Susana Balbo Wines.

September 30, 2021 0 comment

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