Cabernet Franc Masters 2025: Wine Tasting Seminar on the World of Franc!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I attended one of my favorite events of the year called Cabernet Franc Masters in Paso Robles (#CabFrancMasters) on March 16th. This is the third year that Kunal & Neeta Mittal have spearheaded this outstanding conference. It was held at the Cass Event Center starting at 10 am starting off with a Wine Tasting Seminar: World of Cabernet Franc led by Wes Hagen.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This focused on global expressions of Cabernet Franc wines from around the world both seminar and tasting.
The overview of the session started out with Wes tracing the origins & history of Cabernet Franc, viticulture, geography where Cab Franc is produced, the wine profile characteristics and concluding with tasting Cabernet Franc wines from around the world.
A lot of details and ad hoc comments by the “professor Wes Hagen” on so many subjects regarding this exquisite grape varietal. I believe three are relatively important in comprehending this grape varietal by Wes.
The first is how Cabernet Franc genealogy can be traced via DNA studies. Below this chart shows just how prolific this grape is and its “off springs”.
Slide ©Wes Hagen
The second important factor is the versality and resilience of Cabernet Franc to adapt to various climates around the world. Very few grapes can withstand these temperature, wind and humidity variables.
Slide ©Wes Hagen
The third is a comparison between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in their key characteristics and differences.
Slide ©Wes Hagen
Once the above factors and others were discussed it was time to make the session empirical with wine tasting. Five wines were featured running the gauntlet of pricing from $25 to $90. The wines in order were the following:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
#1 – 2022 Domaine Brunet Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Loire Valley, France
#2 – 2021 Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Cabernet Franc from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
#3 – 2022 Lieu Dit Cabernet Franc from Santa Ynez Valley, California
#4 – 2019 Chateau Haut Ferrand Cabernet Franc from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
#5 – 2019 Zaha Cabernet Franc from Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina
Each wine was dissected in understanding its “terroir”, age-worthy status, key characteristics, it’s place in the market and based on location the ability to adapt to climate change. A lot of key and important facts on each wine were discussed. At the conclusion of the tasting a show of hands as to the preferred style by the attendees. While all the wines received votes the out right winner was the 2022 Lieu Dit Cabernet Franc from Santa Ynez Valley, California which goes for around $40 to $45.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The concluding comments about Cabernet Franc were enlightening and timely. They were summed up in this slide:
Slide ©Wes Hagen
This was the third time I have had the privilege of listening to Wes and he covers this broad subject in detail, with humor and amazing side stories from his experience. He truly is a “professor” and provides a quick pace opportunity to learn about this varietal.
Slainte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
#CabFrancMasters