The Architect: A Cabernet Franc Showcase

Before Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot became global superstars, there was Cabernet Franc. It is the parent grape of both, the quiet architect of Bordeaux's greatest wines, and the undisputed king of France's Loire Valley. This curated four-bottle pack celebrates the grape that built the modern wine world, showcasing its remarkable range and character. From the classic, graphite-driven elegance of the Loire Valley to a powerful, modern Bordeaux-style blend from Washington State, this is a portrait of one of wine's most essential and compelling varieties.

2022 Fabien Demois, "Les Deux Rives", Chinon — Loire Valley, France

100% Cabernet Franc | Chinon AOC

We begin in Chinon, the heartland of Loire Cabernet Franc. Fabien Demois is one of the appellation's most exciting young producers, and his "Les Deux Rives" — "The Two Banks" — is sourced from vines on both the sandy left bank and the tuffeau-limestone right bank of the Vienne River. This creates a wine of genuine complexity and balance. Bright ruby in the glass, it delivers a captivating nose of crushed raspberries, violet, fresh herbs, and a telltale graphite note. The palate is silky and medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a refreshing, almost Burgundian precision.

Pair with: Roast chicken, duck rillettes, or a classic charcuterie board.

2021 Domaine de la Croix Marie, Chinon Vieilles Vignes — Loire Valley, France

100% Cabernet Franc | Chinon AOC | Old Vines

A second expression of Chinon, this time from old vines, to show how dramatically age and terroir can transform the same grape. Domaine de la Croix Marie farms its oldest parcels biodynamically, and the results are unmistakable: deeper color, more concentrated fruit, and a structural intensity that hints at its aging potential. Notes of dark cherry, smoked meat, dried herbs, and an iron-rich earthiness make this one of the most compelling and serious Chinons in the appellation.

Pair with: Braised short ribs, lamb chops with rosemary, or aged Comté cheese.

2021 Le Petit St. Vincent, Saumur-Champigny "Les Poyeux" — Loire Valley, France

100% Cabernet Franc | Saumur-Champigny AOC

Just upstream from Chinon, the tuffeau limestone soils of Saumur-Champigny give Cabernet Franc a distinctly chalky, mineral character. Le Petit St. Vincent is a biodynamic domaine farming some of the appellation's finest old-vine parcels, and "Les Poyeux" is their flagship cuvée. This is a wine of remarkable purity and energy, showing notes of red currant, wild strawberry, fresh tobacco, and a long, chalk-dusted finish that is both refreshing and deeply satisfying.

Pair with: Grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or a classic French onion soup.

2021 The Walls Vineyards, "Bellamy", Bordeaux Blend — Columbia Valley, Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc | Columbia Valley AVA

For the finale, we see Cabernet Franc in its architectural role, providing aromatic lift and structural backbone to a powerful New World Bordeaux-style blend. The Walls Vineyards farms certified organic sites in the Columbia Valley, and "Bellamy" is their most structured and age-worthy wine. Here, Cabernet Franc's floral and herbal notes complement the dark plum and cassis of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, creating a wine of serious depth and complexity with a long, cedar-spiced finish. It is a fitting tribute to the grape that makes so many of the world's greatest red blends possible.

Pair with: Grilled ribeye, lamb rack with herbs de Provence, or aged cheddar.