Cabernet Franc may be Bordeaux’s quiet achiever, but in BC it’s making serious noise. From Naramata to the Similkameen, this grape thrives in our climate—delivering vibrant aromatics, silky tannins, and a touch of spice that makes it a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike. Here are the Top 10+ Best Value BC Cabernet Francs to discover right now. 🍷✨
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.
Hester Creek Old Vine Cabernet Franc (EPIC ’22) ($29.99)
Winemaking: Hand harvested in late November 2022, with whole berries cold-soaked for two days before a 15-day fermentation in Italian Ganimede tanks. Aged for 18 months in a mix of 75% French and 25% American oak before bottling on May 8, 2024.
Technical Specs: Alcohol: 14.3% | pH: 3.8 | TA: 6.1 g/L | RS: 0.7 g/L
Tasting Notes: Get ready for a South Okanagan showstopper! This vintage bursts with herbaceous, savoury minerality on the nose, joined by ripe plum, wild raspberry, vanilla, and soft pepper. The palate delivers a bold mix of juicy raspberry, cocoa, light toast, and white pepper. Earthier this year, it brings vibrant freshness, baked plum, and bright raspberry. Perfectly balanced acidity and grippy ‘22 tannins shine in a dry, medium-plus body with a smooth, thick mouthfeel. Black cherries, oak, capsicum, and nutmeg dance, with plum and dark chocolate rounding it out. Decanting softens the tannins, unveiling black fruit and a floral hint. 92 Points
Pairing & Ageing: Pairs perfectly with BBQ Italian sausage or Chorizo. Enjoy now or cellar up to 5 years.
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 macerated in a 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.
Adega on 45th Cabernet Franc 2022 – $32.99
A bold and expressive Cabernet Franc bursting with spice, black cherry, and peppery notes, accented by hints of violet. On the palate, it delivers a wealth of tannins and spice, layered with earthy notes, plum, and anise. Structured yet vibrant, this wine strikes a balance between high acidity and soft tannins, making it both powerful and food-friendly. 91 Points.
Winemaking: 100% Cabernet Franc. Whole-cluster pressed, fermented in stainless steel and oak barrels, aged 12 months.
Food Pairing: Penne with Italian sausage, risotto-stuffed peppers, or sage chicken with roasted root vegetables.
Technical: 14.2% alc / pH 3.70 / TA 5.8 g/L / RS 0.07 g/
K Little Vintners™ Cabernet Franc 2022 ($34)
“The Cabernet Franc comes from three vineyards in the South Okanagan: Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard, Bordertown, and Franks Place. The latter two bring depth of darkness to the palate, while Fruitvale retains freshness and slightly grippy tannins. Each vineyard was fermented separately with cultured yeasts, hand punchdowns, and cooler ferments that were let to reach 32 °c to bring out all the colour available in the skins.” Daniel Bontorin, Winemaker.
95% Cabernet Franc / 5% Merlot
Alcohol 13.5% / pH 3.71 / TA 6.3 / RS 2.3
The Cabernet Franc glows a deep ruby-red, exuding aromas of dark berries, leather, and a hint of spice. This medium-bodied wine offers vibrant red plum, cassis, and blueberry flavours, framed by silky, fine-grained tannins that lend structure and a lingering, elegant finish. 90 points.
Here is the link to my favourite marinated burgers to pair with the Cab Franc.
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.
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.
Monte Creek Living Land Cabernet Franc 2022 ($26.99)
90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. The Cabernet Franc is from Osoyoos. The wine was barrel-aged in French oak for 15 months.
Alcohol: 14% / pH 3.69/ TA 6.8 / RS 0.2
An easy-drinking Cabernet Franc with blueberry and cherry aromas. Flavours of dark cherry and plum with earthy and tobacco notes. It is a well-balanced wine with a long finish and good aging potential. 91 points
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.