Award-Winning Cab Franc From Virginia

Virginia is one of my favorite wine states. There is such a wide spread of varieties being grown there. I've sampled Virginia grapes that represent Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, the Rhône, Spain, and Italy. Not to forget, of course, the all-American Norton grape. The good grapes in Virginia are abetted by good winemaking practices, as well.

I was blessed with samples of the winners from the 2025 Governor's Cup event, a yearly event which started in 1982. A Zoom call featured the makers of the 12 wines which made this year's Governor's case, the top dozen bottles from the event.

The 2023 DuCard Vineyards Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve is all Cabernet Franc grapes from DuCard's 25-year-old estate vineyard. Winemaker Julien Durantie is Bordeaux-born. He worked in his family's vineyard in Entre-deux-Mers, the area that is "between two seas." Actually, the land is between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers which define Bordeaux. The wine was aged for only nine months in used French oak vats. Alcohol is 13.8% abv and the list price is $60.

This wine is dark in color. The nose is complex, offering blackberry and blueberry fruit in addition to anise, black pepper, and herbal notes. The palate is savory, with earth, tar, and spice dominating the flavor package. Tannic grip is easy to handle, yet workman enough to do a job on a rib eye steak. The finish is medium long, and the savory aspect lingers. 

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