estate cabernet franc 2021
Benegas
Is it just us or is the only thing stopping a revolution spearheaded by this grape variety the sad lack of current plantings? Cabernet Franc seems to do so well in Mendoza, ripening beautifully and harnessing so well those classic characteristics – ripe red fruits, bell peppers, maybe a touch of graphite, and silky tannins. It is also much more reliable from vintage to vintage than its counterparts in the Loire, and thus plantings are increasing rapidly. This gorgeous example from Benegas is one of the ‘bigger’ examples on offer, with plenty of depth to the dark fruit character and a sensible, judicious use of oak.
91 / 100, Tim Atkin Argentina Special Report 2023 (2021 vintage)
92 / 100, James Suckling Report 2020 (2018 vintage)
91 / 100, Tim Atkin Report 2020 (2018 vintage
91 / 100 JamesSuckling.com (2015 vintage)