PHMG WAG Parent-Child Pairs (CabS vs. Franc)

Our goal was to learn about (and enjoy!) the differences between the Parent (Cab Franc) and the Child (Cabernet Sauvignon) using non-blinded pairs from different years and locations. I tried to keep the variables to a minimum where able (so having the Beringer pair from same vineyard, year, and producer was the best example).

Sauv Blanc and Cab Franc begat Cab Sauv, so we had to open with a version of this white! Served with rosemary parm-reg fries.

• 2016 Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Fairly rich for a sauv blanc, this bottle housed a wine with notes of white citrus, melon, stone fruit, and minerals. Crisp and fun. Now-2021.

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One of the "red" meats I served was Argentina red shrimp scampi with a touch of chipotle and paprika

• 2010 Vignamaggio Cabernet Franc Toscana IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  This Franc had a nice open nose of black cherry, black raspberry, with hints of earth, leather, and florals. Acid in check! Fruit fade on day #2 made acid more obvious, now-2020.

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• 2011 Marchesi Mazzei "Philip" Toscana IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  More black fruit than the Cab Franc before it, there's cassis, black plum, leather, and stone / earth. Tannins resolved. Now-2021.

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• 2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Franc Bancroft Ranch 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  This was a lovely, long and structured Franc with blackberry, black plum, florals, and a hint of sangre de toro. Now-2025.

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• 2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bancroft Ranch 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  My WOTN, everything you would want in a mountain Cab. Big ripe black fruit, wet stone/gravel, herbs, espresso, and cigar notes. Long and tannic, still great on day 2. Now-2027.

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• 2013 Huge Bear Cabernet Franc 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Most obvious glycerin of the night award winner! Cashmere sweater for your tongue. Black cherry, violet, spice and tobacco. Now-2023.

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• 2013 Huge Bear Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  As expected, compared to its Napa Franc (Papa Bear wine!), this had more herbal notes consistent with the Sonoma origin, more structure, stone, and some mocha to go along with the cassis based fruit notes. Lots of time - 2025.

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• 2014 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc The Pearl Union Gap Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  Enough glycerin to almost seem sweet, this had lots of black fruit, coffee and toast (breakfast wine?), a hint of florals and nice structure. Like its "son" in this tasting, needs a bit more time, 2019-2024.

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• 2014 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 Block Red Willow Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  My score will seem conservative when (if) it opens up in the next couple years. Tight cassis, blackberry, stone eventually percolate up. 2020-2029.

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An orphan Franc to finish, paired with the Brix chocolate that was made to go with Cabs.

• 2015 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc 94 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  Even though it's a young tannic wine, this is still fun to drink now. Lots of ripe black fruit, some savory, earthy notes and floral hints linger. Wait if you only have a couple. Drink 2019-2025.

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Very nice wines that held up well into even day 3. The floral and spice notes of the Francs may be the biggest distinguishing feature. I know people get bell peppers sometimes (and that's one reason I didn't serve Chinon!), but we don't like vegetables in our wine, so thank goodness that didn't pop up this time!