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Known for its bright red fruit, savory herbal notes, lively acidity, and signature spice, Cabernet Franc has long been a favorite among wine insiders—even if consumers have been slower to discover it.
That is beginning to change. As drinkers increasingly seek wines that are versatile, food-friendly, and lower in alcohol than those powerhouse reds, Cabernet Franc is finding a broader audience. Unlike heavier reds that can feel overwhelming during warmer months, Cabernet Franc thrives with a slight chill, making it equally at home on a summer patio as it is at a holiday dinner table.
Its versatility at the table is another reason for its growing popularity. Cabernet Franc pairs beautifully with everything from grilled vegetables and roast chicken to burgers, charcuterie, and herb-driven dishes, thanks to its balance of fruit, acidity, and earthy complexity.
American wine is having a real moment with the grape as well. With New York’s Cab France Forward campaign highlighting the varietal, sippers have turned to this style of wine out of curiosity and staying for the versatility.
We tasted more than 40 Cabernet Francs from different regions of the U.S. and selected 13 unique renditions of the varietal to try.
Baily Winery (California): Temecula Valley’s Baily Winery has brought it big when it comes to spice in its 2021 Cabernet Franc. While many modern expressions lean heavily into fruit, this wine embraces the peppery character that helped put Cabernet Franc on the map in the first place. Notes of cracked black pepper and fresh jalapeño add energy and complexity, balancing the fruit and creating a wine that feels distinctly varietal.
Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery (Virginia): While Virginia Cabernet Franc can sometimes fly under the radar, this 2022 bottle from Barrel Oak Winery showcased why the grape performs so well in the region. Notes of blackberry and cherry are balanced by white pepper, subtle spice, and a touch of smoke, creating a wine with both richness and freshness. The texture is particularly appealing, with integrated tannins and enough structure to suggest it has plenty of life ahead of it. Youthful but already drinking well, it’s a bottle I would happily revisit.
Boundary Breaks (New York): For drinkers who prefer fruit-forward reds, this 2024 Cabernet Franc from Boundary Breaks delivers. Cherry fruit takes center stage, creating a wine that feels polished, approachable, and easy to enjoy. While the savory and herbal notes often associated with Cabernet Franc are more restrained here, the wine’s freshness makes it particularly appealing served with a slight chill. Pair it with a charcuterie spread, light salads, or simply enjoy it on the patio as an easy-drinking summer red.
Corey Creek Tap Room (New York): Who said you had to following the rules all the time? Not Marin Brennan, head winemaker at Long Island’s Corey Creek Tap Room and Bedell Cellars. Meant to be a one-off experimental sipper, Brennan’s White Cabernet Franc quickly became a fan favorite and now it’s available year after year. Think of this as Cabernet Franc’s summer vacation. Made without skin contact, it trades tannins for bright fruit, fresh herbs, and spice, creating a wine that feels right at home next to grilled fish, salads, roast chicken, or a cheese board. A slight chill only makes it better—and it’s every bit as enjoyable without food as it is with it. The 2025 bottle is now available.
Cor Cellars (Washington): Fresh, vibrant, and approachable, this 2023 Cabernet Franc from Cor Cellars showcases the brighter side of the variety. Red fruit and lively acidity are complemented by a subtle herbaceous character that brings freshness and complexity to the wine without dominating it.The wine has an appealing tension to it, with fresh acidity and fine tannins creating a sense of energy throughout the palate.
Early Mountain Vineyards (Virginia): The 2021 Early Mountain Vineyards Quaker Run Cabernet Franc is truly lively inside the glass and a reminder that Maya Hood White has an extraordinary ability to let a vineyard speak for itself. Aromas of red fruit, dried herbs, forest floor, and black pepper lead into a wine that is layered, elegant, and incredibly well composed. The tannins are persistent but refined, giving the wine structure without overwhelming its freshness.
Kalasi Cellars (Texas): Kalasi Cellars takes a fresher, more herb-driven approach to Cabernet Franc, as its 2022 bottle highlights notes of bell pepper, mint, raspberry, and earth. The softer tannins make it approachable, while the savory character lends itself particularly well to lighter fare. Serve it slightly cool and let it shine where Cabernet Franc often performs best: At the table.
Lamoreaux Landing (New York): Lamoreaux Landing’s 2023 T23 Cabernet Franc delivered everything you want from the variety: Vibrant fruit, savory herbs, spice, structure, and freshness, all working in complete harmony. Notes of ripe raspberry and strawberry are layered with fresh herbal character and just enough tannin to give the wine shape without weighing it down. While several wines excelled in individual categories, this was the bottle that seemed to do everything well, striking a balance between complexity and drinkability.
Milea Estate Vineyards (New York): Milea Estate Vineyard’s 2023 Reserve Cabernet Franc stood out for its structure. Dark fruit, spice, and savory notes are woven together with polished tannins and bright acidity, creating a wine that feels composed from start to finish. It’s a bottle that consistently overdelivers, it is elegant without being delicate and powerful without being heavy. This wine showcases just how age-worthy and serious New York Cabernet Franc can be.
Macari Vineyards (New York): The Macari Vineyards 2022 Cabernet Franc showcases the brighter, more approachable side of the grape. Driven by notes of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, it offers plenty of red fruit while maintaining the herbal character that Cabernet Franc fans expect. Hints of bay leaf, thyme, green peppercorn, and subtle spice add complexity without overwhelming the wine’s freshness. It is great served at room temp, but served with a slight chill it the sweet spot; highlighting its vibrant fruit and making it a natural pairing for summer meals, grilled vegetables, and lighter fare.
Monte de Oro (California): This 2021 Monte de Oro Cabernet Franc leans into the variety’s earthier side, offering notes of dried berries, cedar, and forest floor supported by firm tannins. with a straightforward profile that emphasizes savory and rustic characteristics over bright fruit. While it didn’t display the same level of depth or balance as some of the standout bottles, it would pair comfortably with hearty weeknight fare, particularly roasted meats, burgers, and dishes featuring earthy herbs.
Paumanok Vineyards (New York): The 2023 rendition of Paumanok’s Cabernet Franc hit you with flowers immediately on the nose, which continues on the palate. Aromatics of flowers and ripe fruit dominate the experience, supported by black cherry flavors and a rich, textured mouthfeel that gives the wine impressive weight. The floral notes were so prominent that they often overshadowed the savory side of Cabernet Franc, but that’s not necessarily a drawback. For consumers who enjoy aromatic, fruit-driven reds with plenty of personality, Paumanok delivers a distinctive take on the variety.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard (New York): If you’re looking for a textbook example of Cabernet Franc, Wölffer Estate delivers. The 2023 bottle showcases everything that makes the grape so beloved by wine professionals: dark fruit, earthy complexity, bright acidity, and enough structure to make it a natural companion at the dinner table. Layers of blackberry, cassis, dried fig, leather, and spice unfold across the palate, while fine tannins and a streak of minerality keep the wine balanced and fresh. It’s approachable enough for someone just discovering Cabernet Franc, yet nuanced enough to remind longtime fans why they fell in love with the grape in the first place.
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