2014 Fabre Montmayou Cabernet Franc Reserva 750 ml

94 points and A Fortuitous Trip to Mendoza

Over the last few years, the most revered wine critics in the world have sung a common tune when describing Hervé Fabre’s brilliant old-vine reds. First, it was the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London that named Hervé Argentina’s “Winemaker of the Year.” Then it was a rave from Master of Wine Jancis Robinson in Britain’s version of Wine Spectator, Decanter Magazine. Robert Parker poured more fuel on the fire in Issue #212 of The Wine Advocate, calling the Fabre Montmayou Malbec Reserva “great Malbec at a fantastic price.”

Fabre’s 94-point Malbec was our target when we made the trip down to Mendoza last May. We came away with 3000 bottles and a lucky few of you reaped the benefits. What we didn’t tell you was that we also scored the only shipment of Fabre’s equally lush Cabernet Franc that would reach American soil.

At the time, we didn’t even know it existed. We had seen dark blue clusters of Cabernet Franc blended into Fabre’s stunning Cabernet Sauvignon, but the single-varietal bottling had escaped us. Then, in the cellar, we tasted the 2014 Cabernet Franc Reserva out of barrel. The rest was history. Young as it was, we locked into 100 cases on the spot, knowing it would be a home run once the critics weighed in — and we were right.

Decanter’s Tim Atkin gave the 2014 Fabre Cabernet Franc Reserva a whopping 94 points, calling it “leafy yet voluptuous, with plenty of structure.” Deep ruby-red to the rim, with an enticing nose of cracked peppercorn and mint. The attack is round and juicy, loaded with red and black fruits. Polished tannins and fresh acidity buttress the concentrated fruit core, while cherry and blackberry linger into the long finish.

Only one time have we ever offered a 94-point Cabernet Franc. The price tag on that one was north of $50. Never, however, have we even HEARD of one for under-$15. If you can find another, be sure to send a bottle our way. We don’t recommend looking for long, though. By the time you come up empty-handed, 1200 bottles of Fabre Cabernet Franc — the ENTIRE American allocation — will be gone. This one’s an easy choice.