Buying guide: Cabernet Franc

About the category: Cabernet Franc is typically lighter in body and tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is one of the main varieties of Bordeaux where it brings perfume and spice to blends, and it is also the Loire’s best red-wine grape. At the end of 2009, it was the 13th most-planted grape in South Africa, making up slightly less than 1% of the national vineyard.

 

Key findings: Cabernet Franc can make wines of great subtlety, but as in previous categories, the panel observed that there were too many wines that appeared overripe and overworked. Panel member and Steenberg winemaker JD Pretorius commented that the variety was particularly prone to the effects of leafroll virus (the resulting wines typically showing a tomato-cocktail character) which, combined with the variety’s natural tendency to show herbaceous character, caused many producers to pick ultra-ripe in an effort to avoid green aromas and flavours.

Even so, the general feeling was that the category remained promising, a focus on more complexity the key to even better wines. One producer who clearly does have a handle on the variety is Bruwer Raats of Raats Family Wines, his 2009 rating 4½ Stars in this tasting, while his 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008 vintages have all rated 4 Stars previously.

★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Raats Family 2009
CELLAR PRICE: R300
Alc 14% RS 3.2g/l TA 5.9g/l pH 3.5
Dark fruit and a pleasing herbal note on the nose. The palate shows great purity and concentration of fruit, fresh acidity and fi rm but fine tannins. Has plenty of reined-in power. Drink 2012-2016.
CE 18 | JP 17 | JvZ 16 | JP 16.5 | JP 18

★ ★ ★ ✩
Zorgvliet Silver Myn 2007* R65
Ridgeback 2007 R75
Whalehaven 2007 R90
Raats Original Red Blend 2009* R95
Druk My Niet Find Art Collection 2009 R125

★ ★ ★
Ondine 2008 (Ormonde Private Cellar) R61
Maison de Teijger 2008 R65
Môreson 4 Barrels 2008 R150

★ ★ ✩
Knorhoek 2007 R80
Oldenburg Vineyards 2008 R182

★ ★
Philip Jordaan Limited Edition 2006 R50
Rainbow’s End 2009 R125
Buitenverwachting 2006 R150
Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap 2008 R164
Warwick 2008 R270

★
Warwick 2007 R350

PRICES: Wines in each quality grouping are listed in order of ascending price – all ex-cellar unless otherwise stipulated.
ARP – Approximate retail price
* – Bottled under screwcap