Cabernet Franc is BC’s fourth most popular red grape, representing just under 12% of the red wine grape crop.
It is loved for aromas of violets, tobacco and green pepper and deep expressive flavours of tobacco and dark spice while maintaining supple tannins and dark berry flavours.
Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale red wine that contributes finesse and lends a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes. Cabernet Franc buds and ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing it to thrive in cooler climate regions.
Most of the BC Cabernet Franc grows in Osoyoos, Similkameen Valley and Oliver. Known as a component grape for classic Bordeaux blends, it has broken out independently.
Here is a list of excellent value BC Cabernet Francs to enjoy this fall and winter.
Township 7 Cabernet Franc 2019 (Wine Club Exclusive)
Produced predominantly from Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos where the southern heat allows for full ripening. There is also a small portion from Sunshine Acres vineyard in Oliver to add complexity to the palate and 4% Merlot from Blue Terrace vineyard. This wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 24 months 20% of the oak was new.
Alcohol 13.5% / pH 3.69/ TA 6.2 g/L/ RS 1.9 g/L
Vibrant aromas of blackberry, strawberry and violets. Flavours of cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice and a hint of green pepper and savoury spice notes. The palate has well-balanced acidity and structured tannins. Decanting is recommended. 90 Points
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2018 ($25)
The grapes for this wine were fermented slowly with wild yeast, allowing a gentle extraction of colour and flavours and aged in French and Hungarian oak for 16 to 18 months.
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco and cedar. Flavours of black cherry, black pepper, plum, wet soil, leather and smoke with ripe tannins. The texture is generous, with long ripe tannins rounded by barrel ageing. 91 Points
Church and State Cabernet Franc 2019 ($32.50)
Fermented and maceration in stainless steel tank for 20 days. It was aged in French oak for 12 months.
Alcohol 14.5% | TA 5.5 g/L | RS 2.4 g/L
This is an elegant Cab Franc. Dark ruby red with aromas of red berries, black pepper and spices. Flavours of black cherry with notes of tobacco and mint. Smooth ripe tannins and long finish. Drinkable right now and will improve with age. 91 Points.
Uppercase Cabernet Franc 2020 ($34.99)
This single-vineyard Cabernet Franc captures the ripeness of the South Okanagan while retaining the freshness and elegant aromatics traditional to the grape variety.
The Cabernet Franc comes from a sun-drenched vineyard in Osoyoos. Meticulously managed and hand-harvested, the fruit was naturally balanced coming into the winery with exceptional ripeness. Wooden tank fermentation and aged for 16 months in French Oak (30% new). Seven barrels that showed exceptional varietal character were selected for the final blend.
Alcohol: 13.2% / pH 3.46 / TA 5.9 g/L / RS .6 g/L
A bright old-world style cabernet with restrained elegance and power. Aromas of rich dark plum, black cherry, and baking spice. Flavours of cherry, raspberry, and milk chocolate with a mineral backbone. Low acidity and smooth tannins. 91 Points
Bronze medal winner at the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.
Valley Commons Cabernet Franc 2018 ($35)
Alcohol 14.7% / TA: 6.09 / RS: 0.43
The Cabernet Franc is aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. Sourced from a single vineyard just off Black Sage Road. The nose has pleasant aromas of red berries, red currants, dried strawberries, and smoky mocha notes. Medium to full-bodied at 14.7% Alcohol. Flavours of ripe black cherry and strawberry jam, smooth tannins with cracked black pepper on the finish. 91 Points
Bordertown Cabernet Franc 2018 ($25)
14% Alcohol. This is a medium to full-bodied wine with an intense nose of black and red fruits, earth, tobacco, clove and dried sage and mint. The cab franc has expressive flavours of blackberry, ripe red plum, tobacco, dark spice, herbaceous green pepper and a hint of mint with grippy tannins and a delightfully long finish. 92 Points.
Winemaker’s CUT Bohemian Cabernet Franc 2020 ($37)
The grapes are from the estate and Quails Wayside vineyards in Oliver. Hand-harvested on 25th October 2020 at an average of 24.5 Brix, 5.6 tons per acre.
Cold soaked for 1 day, then organic yeast fermentation for 14 days with free run press and full malolactic fermentation. Aged for 10 months in French Oak then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
13.5 % Alcohol / 3.73 pH / 5.4 TA / 3.6 RS / free SO2 10mg/L / total SO2 32
A medium-bodied Cabernet Franc with black fruit aromas and herbaceous notes. A well-balanced red with flavours of cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice and a hint of green pepper plus soft, plush tannins. 90 Points.
Hester Creek Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2019 ($25.99)
WINEMAKER NOTES
This full-bodied wine is crafted with grapes from Block 3 of our historic Golden Mile Bench vineyard, with original plantings dating back to 1968. The vines were thinned to one bunch per shoot and fruit was handpicked, sorted, and destemmed. The grapes were left whole and fermented on the skins for 17 days in our Italian Ganimede fermenters. After the desired extraction was achieved, the Cabernet Franc was gently pressed and fermented, the wine was then racked off fine lees and barrel-aged for 18 months. Our winemaker uses primarily French oak barriques, with the accompaniment of 25% American neutral oak barrels. A beautifully structured wine that demonstrates the incredible intensity and finesse of old vine fruit.
Mark Hopley
14.5% Alcohol, pH 3.86 TA 6.28 g/L, RS 0.18 g/L.
The Cab Franc takes some time to open up so make sure to decant before serving. A medium garnet colour. Aromas of raspberry, green bell pepper and white pepper. The medium-bodied wine has flavours of fresh raspberry, black cherry, chocolate, cinnamon and a light peppery, toastiness. A concentrated and complex wine that drinks well now but will also cellar gracefully. 92 Points
Pair with barbequed turkey burgers or with roasted beets and goat cheese.
Vasanti Cabernet Franc 2021($39.99)
The Cabernet Franc is grown in the East Bench vineyard. These grapes were harvested at 24.5 brix, allowing them to develop an exquisite flavour profile. The wine was pumped over 3 times a day during fermentation and aged for 19 months in new American Oak barrels.
14.1% Alcohol. The Cabernet Franc opens with a beautiful red fruit aroma and a hint of violets. The medium-bodied wine has red cherry and ripe raspberry flavours with velvet smooth tannins and vanilla on the lingering finish. 91 Points.
Seaside Pearl Lover’s Lane Cabernet Franc 2018 ($31)
The grapes are sourced from the Herrera Family vineyard in Keremeos.
13.6% Alcohol. A pale garnet colour. The medium-bodied wine has aromas of black currant and ripe raspberry with a hint of smoke when first opened. Airing reveals nuances of allspice and sage. High acidity with flavours of blackberry, black cherry, ripe raspberry, black currant and dark chocolate complemented by tobacco, earthy undertones and soft smoky oak. 92 Points
A silver medal winner at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships.
If you enjoy Bordeaux reds, here are our other Top 10 value wine lists – Top 10 Best Value BC Cabernet Sauvignon and Top 10 BC Merlot for Transitioning to Fall.
Notes
- Prices are rounded to the nearest $ and may vary between the winery and liquor stores.