My Most Memorable Cabernet Francs of 2022
What a year! 2022 was a memorable one for SO many reasons. Where do I even begin?
I led my first webinar on Cabernet Franc on behalf of Loire Valley Wines.
I went on my first major intensive tasting trip to the Loire Valley since launching this project. I created a rather bonkers schedule for myself visiting more than 26 domaines in 9 days, tasting anywhere from 50 to 80 Cabernet Francs a day. I got to taste some incredible wines, and meet/see some of my idols and most beloved estates for the first time.
Completed (finally!) my WSET Diploma.
I posted Video #100 to this feed - a feat that still feels so surreal and brings me such pride as well
Best of all, I got the opportunity to meet for the first time so many amazing people who, up until this year, I’ve only been able to connect with here on Instagram.
I’ve also tasted A LOT of Cabernet Franc this year, and I didn’t get to write as many posts as I had hoped, but that will change in 2023! There have been many memorable wines and moments this year, it’s impossible to narrow it down to just a handful, but here goes…
From the Loire Valley:
Les Picasses from Olga Raffault has always been like a North Star wine for me on this journey of studying Cabernet Franc. And thanks to sommelier Katharine Hooper, I got to enjoy a magnum of 2006 Les Picasses from Olga Raffault at Cookshop in NYC after a harrowing, intense two days of WSET Diploma exams.
There are many great vineyard sites in Bourgueil, but perhaps none greater than Grand Mont. And on my trip to the Loire in may, the 1999 Grand Mont from Domaine du Bel Air was the incredible, emotional finale to my first tasting with the most kind and gracious Pierre Gauthier.
I’ve had the pleasure of trying the Les Mémoires from Domaine des Roches Neuves a few times before, but the wine has whole new meaning since seeing the gnarly, nearly 120 year old vines that were planted in 1904 with Thierry Germain back in May. These vines and vineyard were the subject of my 98th tasting video featuring the 2015 Les Mémoires.
From elsewhere in France and Europe:
Through the lens of the Herri Mina 2018 Irouléguy Rouge, I got to explore and try a wine from Cabernet Franc’s birthplace of Basque Country. But not just any wine! A wine made by legendary winemaker Jean-Claude Bérrouet who made Château Pétrus for 44 years.
From Italy, and more specifically Bolgheri, I got to try for the first time Le Macchiole’s Paleo Rosso. Le Macchiole was the first in the region to produce a 100% Cabernet Franc, and it is now considered the winery’s flagship. Cabernet Franc plantings have increased a lot in recent years as it is proving more resilient in the face of climate than Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Today there are 16 single-varietal Cabernet Francs being made just in Bolgheri alone.
From the Southern Hemisphere:
Argentina is quickly making a name for itself in the Cabernet Franc world. Though plantings are small, the quality coming out of the country is excellent. And the flagbearer for the variety is none other than El Enemigo. Producing five different Cabernet Francs, one entry level and four single vineyard expressions, they are demonstrating how the grape can translate terroir and showcase the diversity of vineyards and regions in Mendoza. I tried my first Gran Enemigo this year, the 2015 El Cepillo, and the wine delivered all that I had hoped for and then some.
From North America:
In honour of my 100th video post, I chose to go back to where it all began by opening the Pillitteri Estates Winery, 2012 Exclamation Cabernet Franc. As the estate’s export manager for nearly 8 years, I preached the Niagara Cabernet Franc gospel in countries all over the world. This is where my love of this grape started, and it’s what helped stir my curiosity to dive deeper into other terroirs, producers, places and expressions where this grape is at its very best.
There will be lots more posts, videos and quizzes coming in 2023. Exploring new regions, new producers, and much more. My deepest, heartfelt thanks to everyone out there for your continued support and enthusiasm. I raise my year-end glass of Cabernet Franc to all of you!
