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Bid on this bottle of 1986 Cheval Blanc, St-Émilion (94VN, 93JG). Vinous: "Finally, the 1986 Cheval Blanc, a vintage that I had not tasted for several years. This was not a renowned growing season for the Right Bank, but this Saint-Émilion bucks the trends to produce one of its most attractive wines. It has a gorgeous bouquet that you could lose yourself in with red berry fruit, quite tertiary at first, and scents of meat juices, fennel, juniper and wilted flowers. This is complex but also has the warmth I normally associate with the 1985s. The palate is medium-bodied with melted tannins, exquisite balance, light sous-bois and black truffle notes that infuse the dark berry fruit towards the persistent finish. It’s like a less extravagant version of the 1985. It’s probably at its peak now, though this bottle suggests it will drink well for many years. (NM)" (06/2023)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2021 Kobayashi "Mizunara - WeatherEye Vineyard" Washington State Cabernet Franc (OWC - 97VN) in original wood. Vinous: "... Winemaker Travis Allen sources these rare and unique Mizunara barrels from Japan, and they impart an exoticism that needs to be experienced to be believed. The bouquet alone is like something out of a shop of fine treasures, blending incense with foreign spices, herbal tea leaves, dried roses, blood orange and pepper-tinged wild berry fruits. It’s deeply textural, velvety-smooth and dense upon entry, yet quickly firms up, as depths of black raspberry meld with a tinge of orange zest and tannins that add a crystalline feel. The 2021 finishes dramatically long and potent, with a residual bump of zesty acidity to balance. An array of inner florals fade over a lingering hint of boysenberry... Stunning juice. (EG) 97+" (01/2024)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Muir-Hanna Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Franc, aged 22 months in French oak (22% new). It strolls confidently out of the glass with gregarious notes of raspberry coulis, violets, dark chocolate, and pencil lead, leading to hints of wild sage and wild blueberries. The medium- to full-bodied palate has a fine-grained and refreshing backbone supporting the perfumed red-berry and savory layers, finishing long and fragrant.

Cabernet Franc was meant to be this good. Violet and freshly-sharpened-pencil aromas frolic on the nose revealing the core aromas of Bourgueil that are bolstered by black plum and a background of red raspberry. A svelte, lean palate of well-integrated red fruit abounds without being ostentatious. (RS)

I’m always delighted when Domaine les Pins' outlier rosé hits the shelves. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc by one of our favorite Direct Import producers, it comes from sandy, gravelly soils that lend both lift and character. Aromatically, it stands apart: fresh strawberry and watermelon lead the way, followed by a subtle thread of rosemary and a hint of rose petal. It’s a distinctive alternative to the sea of Provençal rosé—more savory but just as refreshing. An easy addition to any weeknight lineup, and another standout value from our Direct Import portfolio.

An ephemeral, silky and refined medium-body wine. Minerally and saline rather than fruity, with juicy acidity and tannins. Nuances of cocoa, leather and rose petals in the finish. Drink or hold.

Château du Petit Thouars has a long history in the Chinon appellation dating back to the 16th century. Now run by Sebastien and D'Arcy du Petit Thouars, the 12th-generation owners, the estate is located in the western part of Chinon (formerly Touraine), where the soils have more limestone-clay (and border Saumur-Champigny). The vineyards were not classified as Chinon until 2015, when the appellation was redrawn to include this special terroir. Moving forward all of Petit Thouars' reds and whites will carry the Chinon appellation on their labels. The Cuvée L'Amiral is only produced in the best vintages, a selection of the oldest vines and best parcels. Under the deft hand of Michel Pinard (Charles Joguet's protegée), all grapes are hand-harvested, native yeasts create the fermentation, and the wine ages for a minimum of two years in neutral barrel. A pure expression of Cabernet Franc, this has loads of aromatics, beautiful texture and weight, and is sure to be recognized as one of the great wines of the region. *Organic*

This is long and fine with red cherry fruit and a persistent limestone laced finish. There is an amazing amount of elegance and restraint showing here for only 13 bucks. A remarkable value that is as easy on the palate as the wallet.

Bid on this magnum of 2013 Morlet "Force de la Nature" Napa Valley Cabernet Franc (1.5L) (100RP). Wine Advocate: "Luc Morlet's three-digit wine is the 2013 Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature, 100% Cabernet Franc from the incredible Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. This is an ethereal wine that goes beyond just being majestic. Aged in 100% new Darnajou oak, the wine offers a flowery, blueberry and blackberry-scented nose along with forest floor, some sweet, subtle toast and lead pencil shavings. Remarkably rich, full-bodied, but light on its feet and on the palate, the wine builds incrementally to a majestic, full-throttle, seamless work that is rather remarkable. This is an amazing wine, and Luc Morlet has certainly proven once again his incredible talents and knowledge of great vineyard sites. (RP)" (12/2015)

I last had the pleasure to taste Clotilde Legrand’s 2017 Saumur-Champigny "la Chaintrée" two years ago and the wine continues to blossom beautifully. Though the wine is now eight years of age, it was a "new release" from Madame Legrand’s cellars back in the summer of 2023, as she aged the wine fully three years in cask prior to bottling. This cuvée does not see any new oak, as it is raised in five hundred liter barrels that are three to eight years of age. Today, it offers up a superb bouquet that shows its gently oaky influence in its aromatic blend of cassis, sweet dark berries, cigar ash, tuffeau soil tones, coffee bean, a nice touch of oak and a topnote of juniper berries. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, precise and still on the young side, wit a great core of pure fruit, an excellent foundation of soil, fine-grained tannins and a long, impeccably balanced and complex finish. This is outstanding Saumur in the making, but it still needs several years in the cellar to soften up its undercarriage of tannin.

The 2022 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary includes 15% Malbec. This fermented with 40% whole bunches, harvested in stages across 1.5 months and aged for 15 months in concrete. Intensely complex, it opens with aromas of mountain herbs—huacatay and heterotheca—along with redcurrant, violet and red fruit. This is a dry, vibrant and fruit-driven expression. It offers chalk, airy concentration, juicy texture and a core of ash. This is weightless, stretching the flavor with crystalline definition. It is a site-driven Cabernet Franc that is shaped by its terroir and polished by the vintage. The 2022 is magic. (JH)

Joël Taluau is a fabulous grower in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil known for making some of the purest expressions of Cabernet Franc in the Loire, which are unmarred by the intrusion of oak. He was also the first producer in the appellation to begin domaine bottling. These days, Joel makes wines with the help of his son-in-law, Thierry Foltzenlogel.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny (92CK, 92DC). Decanter: "Faint aromas of roasted meat, almost animal, on the nose, but very pure impressions on the palate. All crystalline black fruits, with suggestions of minerality on the finish. (BL)" (06/2022)

The youthful 2023 Les Grézeaux offers fresh and pure fruit with bright, salivating acidity. This was sourced from vines growing on the gravel sands just in front of the winery. Winemaker Mathieu Baudry concedes that it's the most difficult of his sites for which to nail the picking date, with a perfect window of just two to three days. There's a definite flesh to the mid-palate, though it doesn't even reach medium body. This aged in cement tanks rather than oak and offers youthful blackberry and raspberry fruit notes. There's a hint of savory smokiness that could be from the gravel or a slight touch of reduction. The 2023 can be enjoyed in the first six to nine years of its life. (RG)

The 2023 Saumur-Champigny "les Lizières" from Clotilde Legrand is a superb young wine. The bouquet is deep, pure and nascently complex, wafting from the glass in a mix of cassis, dark berries, French Roast, chalky soil tones, tree bark, a hint of menthol and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is deep, young, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a fine chassis of buried tannin, excellent focus and grip and a long, beautifully balanced and very promising finish. This is an excellent wine in the making, but it will want a few years in the cellar to soften up its tannins before it starts to drink with proper generosity.

All from a vineyard planted in the early 1900s, the vines are well over a century in age. The grapes are all hand harvested, 100% de-stemmed and fermented in conical tanks. Fermentation lasts 10 to 15 days with light pumpovers during fermentation, meant to infuse the grapes and not over extract them. The wine is then aged in 2500L foudre for 12 months before bottling. *Biodynamic*

Established in 1981, Napa Valley was California’s first American Viticultural Area, stretching north from San Pablo Bay toward Calistoga. Robert Sinskey’s 2018 Estate POV is a Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend centered on Cabernet Franc, linking an estate designation with one of California’s most historically significant appellations.

Joël Taluau is a fabulous grower in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil known for making some of the purest expressions of cabernet franc in the Loire. All is hand harvested, cuvees are based on vine age and soil composition, wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel, with a light fining and no filtration before bottling. The 2005 Vieilles Vignes, from a single plot planted in 1934, has power, depth and grace, this their flagship wine will improve for the next 7-9 years but can be enjoyed now for those of you who like a mouthful of wine.

One of my favorite cuvées from this estate, the 2021 El Alma De Jonata checks in as 80% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Reminding me of a great vintage of Château Figeac, it has a gorgeous perfume of red and black fruits, spring flowers, lead pencil, and smoked tobacco. With medium to full body, gorgeously polished, integrated tannins, and an incredible finish, it already offers pleasure yet will ideally be hidden in the cellar for 4-5 years. It will have 20-25+ years of overall longevity.

Joël Taluau was a fabulous grower in St-Nicolas de Bourgueil known for making some of the purest expressions of Cabernet Franc in the Loire, unmarred by the intrusion of oak. He was also the first producer in the appellation to begin domaine bottling. After Joel passed away, his daughter Veronique now makes wines with the help of her husband, Thierry Foltzenlogel. The Vieilles Vignes comes from 35 to 80-year-old vines on clay-limestone soils.

Dark earth funk offers a decadent touch to the mossy, lightly balsamic aromas of apple pith, mushrooms and wild berries. There is a very good mid-palate and fine tannins. Juicy, tense and silky. (ZS)

Gorgeous black and blue fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and smoky tobacco notes all shine in the 2022 Cabernet Franc, a remarkably pure, silky, medium to full-bodied blend of 76% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. While it shows the perfumed, accessible style of the vintage, it brings rock-solid depth and concentration, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink over the coming decade.

Such a great example of old vine power with matched elegance elegance. This is really just now starting to drink well. But, can be cellared for many years to come. Fresh yet hearty style of wine which should definitely be had with a nice home cooked meal.

Thierry Germain took over Domaine des Roches Neuves in 1991, making Varrains, near Saumur, the base for his Loire Valley estate. The domaine’s 2025 “Cuvée Domaine” is Cabernet Franc from Saumur-Champigny, an appellation devoted to red wines where this grape plays the leading role.

*Biodynamic*

Paradigm’s roots in Oakville date to 1976, when Ren and Marilyn Harris purchased the estate. Their 2022 Cabernet Franc puts the spotlight on a grape long associated with Bordeaux blends, here taking the lead in a varietal wine from Oakville, in the heart of Napa Valley.

Produced from two of Sophenia’s three hectares of Cabernet Franc in Gualtallary, this Estate Reserva is aged for one year in barrels with 8% new oak. The wine features a juicy blend of the variety’s characteristic herbal notes alongside tart red and black fruits. Its texture is taut, defined by firm, sharp tannins. This selection pairs perfectly with pork tenderloin.

Thibaud Boudignon’s 2025 Rosé de Loire is loaded with Cabernet Franc character. It’s very green but also very ripe, a bit of an odd juxtaposition, but also one that happens to work. Tomato leaf, green peppercorn, ripe strawberry and chalk all run up against a real feeling of mineral cut. There’s a chiseled aspect to the 2025 that I find wildly appealing. This may be a bit polarizing stylistically, but it’s long on identity and distinctiveness, which is not easy to come by in the world of Rosé. (BN)

*Natural Wine* *Chillable Red*

Founded in 1975 in Cravant-les-Côteaux, Domaine Bernard Baudry has become closely associated with Chinon’s varied limestone and gravel terroirs. The 2022 La Croix Boissée is Cabernet Franc from a limestone-rich hillside vineyard, linking this site-specific cuvée directly to one of the Loire Valley’s historic red-wine appellations.

Chinon’s vineyards stretch along the Vienne River in Touraine, where Cabernet Franc is the appellation’s principal red grape. Domaine de la Noblaie’s 2023 Cabernet Franc takes its place in this Loire Valley tradition under the name “Le Temps des Cerises,” French for “cherry season.”

The beautiful base of clay and flint soils that defines the terroir of les Cornuelles is given center stage in this superb 2022 version from Marc Plouzeau. This is going to be a superb bottle of Chinon in the fullness of time, but it has plenty of structure to wait out before it will start to drink with proper generosity. The wine tips the scales at 13.5 percent octane this year and delivers an excellent bouquet of sweet blackberries. A touch of meatiness, cigar wrapper, a complex base of clay and flinty soil tones, a touch of tree bark and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and bottomless at the core, with great purity and precision, superb soil inflection, ripe, buried tannins and a very, very long, nascently complex and highly promising finish. This will be a veritable long distance runner by Chinon’s standards, but it is going to be an outstanding wine once it is ready to drink.

There's a focused line of blackberry to the core of the nose of this bottling, as well as warmer caramel and brown-spice elements, with black peppercorn on the edges. There's intense wood spice to the palate, with cracked pepper and herb lifting the core berry fruit. (MK)

The 2023 Cabernet Franc is aromatic, bright and nicely lifted. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, white pepper and dried herbs open beautifully, giving the 2023 gorgeous aromatic presence and breadth. The purity of the fruit is front and center. (AG)

Complex aromas of cherry paste, rose hips, hibiscus potpourri, and light game make for a heady nose on this bottling from a historic vineyard south of Hollister. The palate adds persistent acidity and a firm texture to the equation, giving a long life to the red fruit, dank herb, and gamy meat flavors. Drink now–2040. *Cellar Selection* (MK)

Saumur’s pale tuffeau limestone shapes the local landscape, from vineyard soils to the stonework of its historic buildings. Manoir de la Tête Rouge’s 2024 “Bagatelle” connects this Loire appellation with its principal red grape, Cabernet Franc—a variety central to Saumur’s red-wine identity.

Bourgueil has held appellation status since 1937, encompassing vineyards along the Loire’s north bank west of Tours. Domaine du Bel Air (Gauthier) makes its 2024 “Jour de Soif” from Cabernet Franc, the red grape historically central to this corner of the Touraine wine region.

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2015 Arrow & Branch "Heritage - Arrow & Branch Vineyard" Coombsville Cabernet Franc. Vintage notes from Jeb Dunnuck: "These beautiful wines are made by Jennifer Williams (formerly of Spottswoode) and come mostly from their estate vineyard in Coombsville. I was able to taste these wines on two separate occasions and they showed beautifully both times." (12/2017)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Del Dotto Cabernet Franc.

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2019 Vérité "La Muse" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend (99JS, 98JD, 97RP, 95DC, 94JA) and 1-bottle of 2019 Vérité "Le Désir" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend (100JS, 100RP, 100TWI, 98JD, 97JA, 96DC). Of the 2019 Vérité "Le Désir" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend, Wine Advocate writes: "The 2019 Le Désir is just as stunning as the first time I tasted it from bottle. It's pure and layered, with alluring scents of Morello cherries, dried mushrooms, cigars, sage and aniseed wafting from the glass. The palate strikes a fine balance of concentrated fruit, loads of powdery tannins, and energetic bursts of fresh acidity. It has a deep core of concentrated, perfumed fruit with the first faint touches of umami character and a long finish driven by floral and iron tones. I can't get enough of this wine! (EB)" (08/2023)

*Natural Wine* *Chillable Red*

The 2025 Rosé of Cabernet Franc is delicate in the glass, wafting up with nuances of white cherry and wild strawberry complicated by a whiff of split pine. Soothingly round and perfumed, it offers soft textures and cooling acidity that motivates its ripe orchard fruits. It finishes long, leaving a citrus inflection that keeps the mouth watering for more. Beautiful today, don't be afraid to lose a bottle or two in the cellar for the following season.

Established over 50 years ago, the 4th generation of the Denis family now runs this operation. Julien is the winemaker, Stephane in charge of the viticulture and Vincent oversees the administration and sales. Over the last few decades the property has grown from 5 to 80 hectares that stretch across the appellation including some very select parcels in the Coteaux du Layon (home of one of the region's great dessert wines). The Anjou Rouge is 100% Cabernet Franc grown on schist soils. The wine is aged in tank preserving its fruit and regional character. This is a great introduction to Anjou and makes the perfect weeknight wine.

Domaine de la Butte occupies a south-facing hillside in Bourgueil, where its Cabernet Franc wines are organized by position on the slope. The 2023 Le Haut de la Butte comes from the hill’s upper sector, linking this bottling directly to the estate’s parcel-focused approach and Bourgueil’s longstanding association with Cabernet Franc.

Joël Taluau is a fabulous grower in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil known for making some of the purest expressions of Cabernet Franc in the Loire. All grapes are hand-harvested, cuvees are based on vine age and soil composition, and the wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel with just a light fining before bottling. The Vieilles Vignes bottling is based on a single vine plot planted in 1934.

Lambert Bridge is one of Sonoma County's best-kept secrets. Founded in 1975 in Dry Creek Valley, Lambert Bridge was producing tens of thousands of cases up to the turn of the century, when they pared down to 8,000 cases a year, refocusing on quality.

Saumur-Champigny lies on the Loire’s south bank around Saumur, where tuffeau limestone is a defining feature of the landscape. Cabernet Franc is the appellation’s principal grape and the variety behind Château de Chaintres’ 2025 “Les Sables,” connecting this red to one of the Loire’s signature winegrowing traditions.

A juicy and solid young St Emilion with crushed stone, hints of large grains of sea salt and a black berry character throughout. Full and chewy, but polished. New Grand Cru.