Tamarack Cabernet Franc

Tamarack Cabernet Franc is a 100% varietal Cabernet Franc from Columbia Valley, Washington, bottled at 14.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this single-varietal bottling highlights Cabernet Franc's savory, herbal character through a distinctly Washington lens — ripe yet structured, with a complexity earned through patient lot-by-lot aging in French oak.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  100% Cabernet Franc  |  Producer: Tamarack Cellars

Production & Heritage

Tamarack Cellars was founded in 1998 by Ron and Jamie Coleman in Washington's Columbia Valley, a region whose warm days and cool nights coax both ripeness and acidity from red Bordeaux varieties. Winemaker Danny Gordon — who carries the distinctive title "Maker of the Wine" — vinifies each lot of Cabernet Franc separately and keeps them apart for at least one full year before blending, allowing each parcel's character to develop independently. The wine ages in a combination of new and older French oak barrels, with the proportion of new wood varying by vintage (typically 20–40% new French oak), lending subtle spice and structure without overwhelming the grape's inherent aromatics.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with tart cranberry and dark cherry, moving into pie spices and huckleberry. Behind the fruit sits a layer of cigar box, fresh leather, and dried sage that signals the wine's savory depth.

Taste: The entry is plush and round, with blackberry and dark burgundy plum arriving first. Mid-palate, ripe dates and caramel weave through raspberries and red fruit, while a thread of sweet bell pepper provides classic Cabernet Franc identity. Tannins are savory and polished, giving the wine a structured but approachable frame.

Finish: Medium-long, with dried herb and subtle wood spice lingering alongside dark plum. The texture stays smooth through the close, with a whisper of leather fading last.

How to Drink Tamarack Cab Franc

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with no decanting required, though 20–30 minutes of air opens its aromatic range. As Vinous noted in awarding it 90 points, it is "soft and approachable enough to be consumed right now." For cocktail-adjacent serves, try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice), where its dark fruit and spice hold up against the sweetness; a New York Sour, floating the Cab Franc over a whiskey sour for a tannic, berry-laced crown; or a classic Sangria, where its herbal notes complement citrus, brandy, and fresh stone fruit.

Best For

• Introducing a varietal-focused Cabernet Franc to wine-curious friends
• Pairing with a fall or winter charcuterie spread
• Gifting to someone exploring Washington State wines beyond Cabernet Sauvignon
• Adding a savory, herbal red to a dinner-party lineup alongside bolder bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tamarack Cab Franc taste like? It delivers dark plum, blackberry, and cranberry fruit layered with dried sage, leather, and pie spice. Polished tannins and a round mouthfeel keep it approachable despite its complexity.

How does Tamarack Cab Franc compare to Loire Valley Chinon? Loire Cabernet Francs like Chinon tend to be lighter-bodied and higher in acidity, with more pronounced green bell pepper and earthy minerality, while Tamarack's Columbia Valley version runs riper and fuller at 14.1% ABV, emphasizing dark fruit, leather, and a rounder tannic structure.

Is Tamarack Cab Franc good for sipping neat? Absolutely — Vinous rated it 90 points and specifically noted it is soft and approachable enough to drink on its own right now, requiring no extended cellaring.

Where is Tamarack Cab Franc made? It is produced by Tamarack Cellars in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington State, a large appellation stretching across south-central Washington known for warm-climate Bordeaux varieties.

What foods pair well with Tamarack Cab Franc? Herb-crusted lamb chops complement the wine's sage and spice notes; duck confit mirrors its dark fruit and leather; roasted red pepper pasta echoes the bell pepper character; aged Gruyère balances the polished tannins; and mushroom risotto aligns with its earthy, savory undertones.

What sizes does Tamarack Cab Franc come in? Tamarack Cabernet Franc is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tamarack Cab Franc worth the price? It positions as a mid-range, quality-focused varietal wine — carrying a 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating and 90 points from Vinous, it delivers critical recognition that many bottles in its price tier do not achieve, representing strong value for a single-varietal Cabernet Franc.

Why Tamarack Cab Franc?

Pure varietal Cabernet Franc bottlings from Washington State remain relatively uncommon, and Tamarack's version stands out for its lot-separation aging regimen — each parcel develops independently in French oak for at least a year before any blending decisions are made. That patience shows in the finished wine's layered complexity, which has earned recognition from three major critics: 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, 90 from Vinous, and 89 from Wine Advocate. In a market where Cabernet Franc is usually a blending component rather than the star, this bottling makes a compelling case for the grape on its own terms.