Organic estate since 2005 AOP Fronton

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Website & orders 06 50 93 88 25 Estate 05 63 30 13 13

Website & orders06 50 93 88 25 Estate05 63 30 13 13

A grape of South-West France

Cabernet Franc

The discreet parent of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

What is Cabernet Franc? At the estate

Château Saint Louis, AOP Fronton, IGP Comté Tolosan. Independent winegrower, organic farming.

What is Cabernet Franc?

Cabernet Franc is a black grape from South-West France, probably from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees according to the ampelographer Guy Lavignac. Genetic analyses show it to be one of the two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Sauvignon Blanc, and also of Merlot and Carménère. It gives fine, fragrant wines, with raspberry, violet and spice. It is found mainly in the Loire (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny) and in Saint-Émilion, where it is called Bouchet. In Fronton it is allowed, with Cabernet Sauvignon, up to 25% of the vines: at Château Saint Louis it accompanies Négrette in L’Esprit, L’Esprit Gaulois, the Cuvée Tradition and L’Extrême.

Identity card

The grape at a glance

Colour
Black grape.
Origin
Probably the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, according to Guy Lavignac.
Its offspring
Cabernet Sauvignon (with Sauvignon Blanc), Merlot and Carménère.
Other names
Bouchet in Saint-Émilion, Breton in Touraine.
Its wines
Great aromatic finesse, notes of spice, sometimes green pepper.
In Fronton
Supporting grape, up to 25% of the vines together with Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the glass

What does Cabernet Franc taste like?

Lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is recognised by its fragrance: raspberry, violet, spice, and sometimes a note of green pepper when the grapes are less ripe. In a blend, it brings finesse and a peppery touch to more powerful grapes.

Fruit and flowers

  • raspberry
  • violet

Spice

  • pepper
  • green pepper

Where it grows

From the Loire to Saint-Émilion

The Loire
Its great territory for red wines: Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny.
Bordeaux
A blending grape in the Médoc and Saint-Émilion, where it is called Bouchet; Château Cheval Blanc has about 60%, an exception.
Italy
A supporting grape in many appellations, such as Bolgheri.
Fronton
Supporting grape of the AOC, up to 25% of the vines together with Cabernet Sauvignon.

All the grapes of Fronton wine

An old vine stock with black grapes

At Château Saint Louis

Cabernet Franc in four of our reds

At Château Saint Louis, Cabernet Franc always accompanies Négrette. It makes up 15% of L’Esprit and L’Esprit Gaulois, two reds aged twelve to twenty-four months in oak barrels, and 5% of the Cuvée Tradition and L’Extrême.

Négrette brings fruit and violet; Cabernet Franc brings the structure and spice that carry long ageing. Our vines have been farmed under certified organic agriculture since 2005.

Come and taste at the estate

The estate shop

The cuvées

Certified organic and sold direct, with no middleman between our cellar and your table.

At the table

What to serve it with?

  • red meat and roast poultry
  • charcuterie
  • goat’s cheeses and pressed cheeses
Find the wine for your dish

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Cabernet Franc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, born from its cross with Sauvignon Blanc. It gives lighter, more fragrant wines, with raspberry, violet and spice.

Where does Cabernet Franc come from?

From South-West France, and probably from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees according to the ampelographer Guy Lavignac. Today it is found mainly in the Loire and in Bordeaux.

What does Cabernet Franc taste like?

Raspberry, violet and spice, sometimes a note of green pepper; in a blend, it brings finesse.

Is Cabernet Franc allowed in Fronton wine?

Yes, it is a supporting grape of the AOC Fronton: together with Cabernet Sauvignon, it can occupy up to 25% of each estate’s vines.

Which Château Saint Louis wines contain Cabernet Franc?

L’Esprit and L’Esprit Gaulois (15%), the Cuvée Tradition and L’Extrême (5%), always with Négrette.

Further reading

Sources

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