cabernet franc
Solid Loire red: Domaine Philippe Alliet Chinon 2020
Philippe Alliet is one of the big names of Chinon and this is their entry level wine (a cabernet franc, of course). I brought the bottle to a recent blind tasting and it showed very well, everyone loved it and thought that it was impressive. It’s a bit different compared to other Loire cabernet franc I adore, though. Continue reading
Carbonic cabernet franc – the nouveau red Bujdosó Libás 2022
Very few red wines are made in Hungary with carbonic maceration, the only well-known one is Vylyan’s Bogyólé. I’m a fan of such wines (just like of Beaujolais crus, which is kinda geeky stuff), I don’t think that they are junk or suitable only for beginners. Not at all. So I’m happy to see the category growing, and here is another good one, a cabernet franc from the southern bank of Lake Balaton. Continue reading
My favourite wines – Domaine Damien Bruneau Traditionnelle Rouge 2021
My favourite wines – Bertrand & Vincent Marchesseau Poids Plume Bourgueil 2021
A carbonic maceration cabernet franc – Domaine Breton La Dilettante 2020
Better drink in its youth – Domaine Des Roches Neuves 2016, Saumur Champigny
At what age does a mid-range Loire Cabernet Franc tastes the best? A more adequate question is perhaps: if great on release, will such a wine offer that enjoyment later or dumb phases are expected, like in the case of Southern Rhone reds?
Exemplary Loire Cabernet Franc: Domaine Olivier Cuvée de L’aloulette Bourgueil 2018

Serious South African Cabernet Franc: Van Loggerenberg Breton 2018
The other New World wine from the Cabernet Franc blind tasting, and the other outstanding one. All the tasters loved it.
Exciting Chilean red wine: Garage Wine Co. Las Higueras Cabernet Franc Lot #82 2016
The winner of a recent Cabernet Franc blind tasting, on which event I presented mostly Loire wines to my friends. The French performance was a disaster, featuring mostly poorly made wines (Brett, Brett, Brett). The Garage Wine Co. Las Higueras Lot #82 2016 not only won the show, but it’s easily the best and most exciting Chilean red wine I tasted in recent years.