Difference between a good cabernet franc and a good merlot?

Question

Can someone please help with a few details? is one more bitter than the other for instance? I have one of each and I am trying to decide which to serve.

thanks!!!

Answer 1

In fact, to correct David E, pure Cabernet Franc is produced in a number of places throughout the world. We usually think of North American producers in Canada (Okanagan and Niagara) as well as Washington and New York State, but California produces a number of pure Cabernet Franc bottlings as well. The Loire Valley in France also produces pure Cabernet Franc. Here, the Saumur appellations specify Cabernet Franc as the only permissable red grape.

Even in Bordeaux, in St. Emilion, Cabernet Franc can be up to 40% of the blend.

You're right in that the Merlot is most likely softer than the Cabernet Franc, but then again that depends on the style of the wine maker and on where the wine came from.

If in doubt, go with the Merlot. If the Cabernet Franc grapes were not entirely ripe at harvest, there is always a risk of green vegetal flavours. The merlot will have the best chance of wide appeal.

Addendum:
Sorry to ruffle feathers. No one doubts David E.'s wide breadth of wine knowledge and experience. After all, 2000 bottles buys a lot of credibility. Just wanted to clarify the point, being somewhat of a Cabernet Franc fan myself (as long as it's a ripe example). This poor grape was the other grape (aside from Merlot) that Myles bashes in "Sideways."

Answer 2

Open both and mix in a decanter and call it Chateau [Dingwallplayer] or Chateau Fred or whatever.

In general the Merlot will be softer and more mellow.

But I don't ever remember having seen a pure Cabernet Franc ... It is usually blended with other grapes as a minor player, rarely more than 15% and sometimes as little as a percent or two.

Cabernet Franc is related to Cabernet Sauvignon but with fewer tanins and more fruit than its more famous son. It will still be stronger than a Merlot, however.



I need to be corrected Amuse???? About what??? I don't say it doesn't happen (pure Cabernet Franc). I just say I had never seen one. Obviously the questioner has a bottle of pure Cab Franc. I'm sure there are many and from many regions. I couldn't possibly see every bottle ever produced, but I've seen quite a few. You then go on to say that it is often blended with other grapes and to be suspect of the quality of the pure one if you aren't familiar with it because pure Francs can suffer from some specific and very real quality problems -- I agree -- which is a contributing factor in why seeing pure Cab Franc in fine wine is not particularly common. And I have pure Malbec, Shiraz, Durif, Carmenere, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and possibly others and of course Merlot and Cabernet Savignon not to mention blends and meritages and that just the reds!