Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Cabernet Franc
Parent and offspring, sharing half a name — how different are they really?
The short answer
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Cabernet Franc has more floral character; Cabernet Sauvignon has more spice; Cabernet Sauvignon has more tannin.
Choose
Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something spicier, more tannic and structured, stronger and warmer.
Worth knowing
Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s two parents, which is why the family resemblance is real rather than imagined. The offspring is denser, later-ripening and more tannic; the parent is lighter, earlier and more aromatic, and keeps a leafy, red-fruited character the child mostly lost.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Cabernet Franc is more floral: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Cabernet Sauvignon is spicier: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Cabernet Sauvignon is stronger and warmer: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Cabernet Sauvignon is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Cabernet Sauvignon is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Savoury character: Similar — both medium.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet Franc |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Earthy character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 14–16°C |
| Typical flavours | blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, graphite, tobacco | raspberry, red plum, graphite, bell pepper, violet |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most planted red wine grape: thick-skinned, tannic and blackcurrant-scented, and the backbone of Bordeaux’s left bank.
Grape
Cabernet Franc
Parent of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in its own right a lighter, leafier, more floral red.
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot
The two halves of the Bordeaux blend — which is firmer, and which should you choose?
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Syrah
Two structured reds for a steak — which suits which cut?
Comparison
Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are steak wines — which is the softer choice?