I told my sister that she could chose any wine from the ones I have stored in her basement and I would make dinner to go with it. She chose the 1996 Beringer Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain Third Century. Now I am at a loss as to what to make. She is not a big food snob, more the meat and potato type, but enjoys fish etc as well.

Suggestions?

Beef Wellington

Cab Franc isn't exactly a "Noble" grape, and that i why to my knowledge it doesn't have any tradition classic pairings. I would pair it with duck and I would use some of the wine in the sauce just to marry the flavors and pull it together. Cab Franc often has a weedy flavor to it that I think goes well with bitter leafy vegetables like wilted spinach possibly sauted with some Pancetta.

That or Beef Wellington

There you go, a menu. Beef Wellington with Wilted Spinach and Pancetta Salad.

Gratin potatoes are a nice pairing with Wellington.

For dessert, I would do a rhubarb & strawberry pie or cobbler. With some creme fraiche and orange zest.

The flavors will all nicely meld. Some a little on the bitter side, some richness morphed in, a sweet taste or two.

What time is dinner?

IMO, anything you would pair with Cabernet Sauvignon is a suitable pairing for Cabernet Franc.

I recently had this wine. It is not at all shy and can be paired with any dish that you would serve alongside a big fruit driven Cabernet Sauvignon.

Franc is very sensitive to the vineyard. There are some really BIG ones out there. Try the Behrens & Hitchcock 99 cuvee Lola. Huge! Also try some of the Helena View Francs.