Sunday was Cabernet Franc Day. A day when we celebrated Cabernet Franc. It was created by Lori Budd of Dracaena Wines for her love of Cabernet Franc. Why did she pick December 4th?

Well, December 4th is the anniversary of Cardinal Richelieu’s death. Who is Cardinal Richelieu? Besides being the inventor of the table knife (yup), Cardinal Richelieu is responsible for bringing cuttings of Cabernet Franc from the Libournais region in Bordeaux to the Loire Valley.

Lori does such a great job in the promotion of this grape/wine. The Cabernet Franc grape is used for blending, but it is so good on its own. It is more than a blending grape.

I spent all last week drinking Cabernet Franc. Here are two California Cabernet Francs that are new to me.

Blue Victorian Cabernet Franc 2018 – Located in the Suisun Valley, Blue Victorian is a special project and second winery of the Frank and Liz Vezer of Vezer Family Vineyard. Blue Victorian produces a Cabernet Franc that is soft and luscious with lots of black cherry fruit.

Tessier Cabernet Franc 2019 – Kristie, a scientist turned winemaker, is following her appreciation of Burgundian and Loire Valley wines in producing small lots of wines. Annual production is about 1400 cases and includes Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Pinot Gris, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Kristie’s 2019 Cabernet Franc is sourced from the El Dorado wine region. Aromas of bright red raspberry and violets escaped from the glass. The wine was full of black cherry, pine, hints of forest floor. I turned on the suggested music paring on Spotify – Laura Veirs “Drink Deep.” As I sat sipping my wine, listening to the music, the wine got softer and began to all blend harmoniously together.