Filed in archive California Wines by tammy on August 22, 2006

In one of our recent wine club shipments from Taste of California, we received two bottles of Cabernet franc. This is one of the things I like about this wine club, getting two similar vintages from two different wineries. So, it's fun to compare.

Normally, my husband and I tend to agree, and our old joke is that the second bottle is always better than the first, but for this most recent wine tasting, we had a difference of opinion.

First, more about the wines in question: a 2004 Arthur Hughes Estate Cabernet Franc and a 2004 Greyhorse Vineyard Cabernet Franc. Here's a little blurb from the Taste of California club concerning each:

2004 Arthur Hughes: Until recently, Cabernet Franc was primarily known in the United States as a grape to blend with other Bordeaux varieties. It is softer and fruitier than Cabernet Sauvignon, its offspring, with an attractive, subtle herb tinged aromas. Today there are approximately 50 wineries in California that produce a stand alone Cabernet Franc and these distinctive wines continue to receive high marks from critics and consumers alike. This 2004 Arthur Hughes Estate Cabernet Franc is a rich wine with bright, ripe aromas and flavors of berries, spice, and licorice. A light touch of natural acidity adds a refreshingly tart note to the soft, fruity and balanced impression that leads to a long, delicious finish. Enjoy with baked Brie or roast beef or lamb dishes.

2004 Greyhorse Vineyard: Cabernet Franc does particularly well in cooler climates such as found in Bordeaux along the Gironde River, or along the Loire River where Cabernet Franc is the most important red wine, and the coastal regions of California. With milder tannins and more pronounced fruit aromas and flavors, many consider Cabernet Franc to be more food-friendly than Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly when young. The Greyhorse Vineyard runs alongside a river in a protected inland valley in Monterey County. The wine offers full, ripe aromas of black cherry and blackberry with violots, tobacco and exotic spice. The texture is soft and round while flavors are generously fruity ending in a dry, crisp finish. This wine is a good partner for spicy foods, pasta in meat sauce or herb-roasted chicken.

My husband was of the opinion that Greyhorse was fruitier and thus tastier, and I enjoyed the Arthur Hughes Estate vintage just a hair more because it just seemed richer, a little stronger but not too strong. Both have a 13% alcohol content.