Cab Francathon: Madeleine – Joguet – Ridge

The wines:
• Madeleine “Chapitre VII La Planche a Canons” Paicines, San Benito County (near Pinnacles National Park)
• Charles Joguet 2010 Chinon “Clos du Chene Vert”, Loire Valley, France
• Ridge “Rousten”, Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Price
• Madeleine - $25 (from Producer)
• Joguet - $47 (Kermit Lynch)
• Ridge - $45 (from Producer)

Alcohol
• Madeleine – 13.5%
• Joguet – 13%
• Ridge – 12.5%

Three Cabernet Francs. One from a well known Loire Valley producer, a Californian from one of the world’s most celebrated vineyards and wineries and one from a relative unknown California region and producer.

Color: All three wines exhibited a similar shade of crimson red. The Madeleine and the Joguet were a near identical medium-light shade, while the Ridge was noticeably darker and richer looking than the other two wines.

Aroma: All three wines were moderately expressive. The Joguet was the most herbaceous, the Madeleine was also herbaceous but showed more sweet red and black fruit, the Ridge was more stately and claret-like.

Palate impression: All three wines were very pleasing, showing structured red fruit and claret-like overtones. The Joguet was perhaps the most crisp and dry of the three. The Madeleine some leafy and herbaceous overtones with underlying red fruit. The Ridge was the most claret-like in style – deeper, longer and rounder than the other two wines.

Conclusion: All three of these wines would benefit from more time in the bottle (the young Madeleine was the most disadvantaged in this regards). While the Ridge came across as an aromatic claret (as you’d expect from a Monte Bello component), the Madeleine and the Joguet were more in a classic Loire style – somewhat lighter, chrisper and more herbaceous.

Cabernet Franc, whether from France or California, deserves more serious consideration here in the states!
IMG_0259.jpg

What vintage on the Ridge?

Awesome! And I agree.

I also learned something: my favorite Cali winery, Ridge, makes a cab franc. Where do I find this?

2010

They make them here and there. The most recent vintages are only available to people that are members of all 3 of their clubs. When I worked retail I was a big Ridge supporter and that allowed me some access to those bottlings but only 1 or 2 bottles of each.

They also did their first varietal Petit Verdot recently, I’d love to try that.

I have a single bottle of Ridge’s 1992 York Creek Cabernet Franc, probably need to open that soon.

Is Chene Vert really $37? I thought list had gone up to $50 or so.

Wow – I’ve never heard of a Ridge Cab Franc either – that’s great and one to seek out!

Thanks for the notes

Yeah, they used to do Francs as part of their Cabernet Program (CP), which ended around the '92 vintage.

This new one is part of their Historic Vineyard Series. They are first offered to their club members. Later, if they don’t sell out, they are offered as direct sales online and at the tasting room. Some of the first wines in this series were such small volume that you had to be a member of all three clubs to get an initial offer. (The Petit Verdot in this series can be really special, and will probably always be the hardest to attain.)

Wes, you seem to know more than me. Ridge currently has the Torre Petit Verdot on their online shop for the general public it seems. They also list the Perrone Cab Franc as “three club members only,” but since it’s up for public view is it open for anyone?

Nice notes, thanks for sharing! I haven’t found many examples of cab franc outside of the Loire that I’ve really enjoyed, but I also admit that I haven’t tried that hard.

I have not heard of Madeleine - might try to pick one up. I’m also a big Ridge fan and didn’t know they have the occasional cab franc bottle. Thanks again!

I see five wines from the program up. One, the PV, is now available to anyone. Three are open to members of any of their clubs. The Perrone CF you have to be a member of all 3 clubs.

https://www.ridgewine.com/Shop/c-20-estate-wines.aspx

Yeah, but in the past they’ve sold me “three club” wines at the winery that weren’t on the website. In fact I don’t remember ever seeing “three club” wines on the site until the last few months. Maybe they’re just trying to have a complete list up now.

Mike, I tip my cap to you for turning me on to Madeliene. And not just their Cab Franc, but their Chenin and Syrah that are truly some of the the BEST QPR wines I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. Damien does great stuff with his brand and deserves some great recognition. Thanks for pointing me to these. I love them and need to buy MOAR

I picked up the '10 Chene Vert for $32.99. The '10 Clos de la Dioterie bumped up to $52 in my 'hood.

Robert - the way I find everything at Ridge - call Mary Devine!

Robert - I double checked - $47.

Joel - try the Pinot Blanc (just released). Just outstanding!

All three wines were miles better on day 2 than day 1. Excellent wines. Be patient with them.