The favored grape in St Emilion, Loire reds and in southwest France, the Cabernet Franc is a lighter, thinner skinned and earlier ripening version of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc can be fruitier than Cabernet Sauvignon when young, and sometimes more herbal, lighter in color and softer in tannins. That said, at their best (in St Emilion) Cabernet Francs rival the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons for subtlety, depth and longevity.