The Bordelaise has always been seen as a realm of men. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petite Verdot are all decidedly masculine by their nature. Cabernet Franc has always struck me as something different. It tends to be slightly less tannic in structure and more graceful than the adonis; Cabernet Sauvignon. She is different, but of the same family and encompasses more of the Divine Feminine in character. And as it should,…. because DNA testing has shown Cabernet Franc to be the Mother of Cabernet Sauvignon….OMG Really? Scandalous romance and drama in France? Apparently, one night after many reveries, the temptress Cabernet Franc seduced and had a one-night stand with Sauvignon Blanc and magically produced the prodigal son that went on to become the King of wines.  Alert the tabloids! Could this be 50 Shades of Red? 
The flavors of Cabernet Franc are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but tend to be more feminine, especially with its perfumed bouquet. She is powerful but has a more graceful and elegant tannin structure that caresses and seduces your palate.  The velvet mouthfeel is laced with flavors of raspberries, black currant, mocha, spice, tobacco, and a hint of green peppercorn. (Note: the pepper used in real Steak Au Poivre)  When it doesn’t get ripe all the way this can show itself as the nasty green bell pepper and is why she needs to be grown and made on an artisan level with impeccable attention to detail.  When grown in the right locations in a year that achieves full ripeness, the Furious Muse will cast her spell upon you with a palate of lush fruit, spice, tobacco, and rich mocha flavors layered in a lingering seduction of tannins that tease like being spanked by a velvet glove.