Cab Franc - Merlot ??

I could use a pointer or two here. I'm making a wine from locally grown grapes that will be around 70% Cab Franc and 30% Merlot. This was an excellent vintage for these grapes, as the Brix and acid levels were perfect. I'll be filling a new 26 gallon (100L) Hungarian oak barrel and plan on aging for at least one year, maybe two. I'd like to try a decent Bordeaux that might have a similar composition for something of a benchmark. I searched for Côtes de Castillon, but it seems that most are Merlot dominated. Any suggestion?

[Robin Garr]

Howie, that would be Chateau Cheval Blanc. A great, great wine, but you'll have to pay a pretty price to sample it. Still, it shows your instincts are good.

Google this phrase:

70% Cab Franc 30% Merlot

and you'll get a few hits, of which the top appears most promising.
2004 Havens "Bourriquot" Napa Valley Cabernet Franc/Merlot Blend
is selling for $19.99 at K&L Wines in California. They should ship to NY, so this might work for you. Here's a link to the shopping page:
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1048188

Howie, that would be Chateau Cheval Blanc. A great, great wine, but you'll have to pay a pretty price to sample it. Still, it shows your instincts are good...

I kind of knew that. I've spent almost $1,000 for the grapes and the new barrel, and hopefully, I should get over 150 bottles, vs 2 bottles of Chateau Cheval Blanc.
EDIT: Robin, I clicked on your link, and the wine is out of stock. However, when I did the search you suggested, I found this: http://prime.premiergroup.net/store/detail/?nPID=37008, which is where our friend, Ed Draves works.

Howie, the Château LaFleur Saint Georges is 70% Merlot and 30% Cab Franc. That is the opposite of what you want isn't it? I may be wrong, but seem to recall that Chateau de Sales is topheavy with Franc.

According to their website, Chateau de Sales is planted with 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. I've had a few of these over the years and liked it, but none recently.

Château Figeac has 70% Cabernet (half Franc and half Sauvignon) and 30% Merlot. It is not exactly cheap, either; according to Wine Searcher $80-100 for less fashionable vintages, $150 for 2000 and 2005 and $250 for 2009 which probably needs 15-20 years before drinking .

As Robin notes, classic Cheval Blanc cepage is roughly 2/3s CF, 1/3 Merlot (though range can be 50/50 to 75/25 depending on vintage). The Havens Bourriquot was intended as a bit of an homage. Clearly Californian, but interesting wine. A couple of years after Michael Havens sold, the new owners went bankrupt, and lots of Havens ended up on market at firesale prices (the Bourriquot typically retailed for mid-$30s, was $18-20). The 2005s and 2006s were still overseen by Michael Havens. You've been very generous with members of this board (including me), so count on a half-bottle by end of week.

Hi Howie,
If looking for a French “benchmark” I think you’re best bet would be to look towards the Loire Valley of France. I'm pretty sure there is a significant planting of Merlot in the Loire Valley. But I’m not sure if Merlot is an “acceptable” “ or “allowed” grape under the Chinon AOC. (I think they allow up to 10% Cab Sauvignon).

You might find the following link interesting. Good luck with the vintage and the new barrel!
http://www.wineanorak.com/projectcabernetfranc.htm

Salute

Dale - I'm looking forward to the arrival. Thanks.
Victor - Thanks for that link. It's very informative.

[Jenise]

Bourriquot was the first name that popped in my head when I read your plea, Howie. Good on Dale for getting one to you.

Here's a similar blend apparently available in your area from New York grapes:

http://www.sussexwine.com/sku15778.html?utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=MACARI%20SETTE%20CABERNET%20FRANC%20MERLOT

Hi Howie,
If looking for a French “benchmark” I think you’re best bet would be to look towards the Loire Valley of France. I'm pretty sure there is a significant planting of Merlot in the Loire Valley. But I’m not sure if Merlot is an “acceptable” “ or “allowed” grape under the Chinon AOC. (I think they allow up to 10% Cab Sauvignon).

You might find the following link interesting. Good luck with the vintage and the new barrel!
http://www.wineanorak.com/projectcabernetfranc.htm

Salute

Victor, I don't know of any Merlot being allowed in the mainstream Loire appellations. However some CabFranc/Merlot blends may exist among the Vins de Pays du Val de Loire or until recently Vins de Pays du Jardin de France.

If looking for a “local benchmark”, besides Macari’s Sette (50% Cab Franc 50% Merlot) you might want to seek out Wollfer’s Cab Franc 2007 (78% Cab Franc 22% Merlot).
They’re making some good Cab Franc and Cab Franc blended wines Downstate!

Salute

I may get an assortment of these recommended wines and when mine has been bottled, have a tasting, similar to the one I did a few months ago for the Lemberger. Perhaps I could bring a barrel sample to the NYC Jeebus in April.