It is the oldest variety grown in Gironde (1st century AD).
It was probably chosen or selected empirically within plant material from the north side of the Pyrenees (Spanish Navarre and Gipuzkoa), area of the very ancient vineyards of Txakoli.
It should be noted that two other grapes are similar : Morenoa and Txakoli Noir; this last one shares with Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet the same synonymous (h)Ondarrabi beltza.

It is traditionnally part of vine appellations Médoc, Graves, Saint-Emilion, Bergerac, Pécharmant, Côtes de Duras, Buzet, Madiran, Irouléguy, Béarn, Côtes du Marmandais, Côtes du Brulhois, Bourgueil, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Chinon, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Touraine, Coteaux du Loir, Anjou, Rosé de Loire, Rosé d'Anjou, Cabernet d'Anjou, Cabernet de Saumur, Orléans-Cléry, Cheverny, Coteaux du Vendômois, Coteaux d'Ancenis, Vins du Thouarsais, Haut Poitou, Malepère, Cabardès, Limoux ... and Vins de Pays.

It provides a quality wine, very structured, fragrant, less colorful than the one with Cabernet Sauvignon and less rich in tannins, allowing a faster aging.

Aromas of cocoa, blackcurrant (sometimes mixed with vegetal notes of blackberry wood), quince, spices, ivy leaf, fern, strawberry, raspberry, ripe fruit, menthol notes, dry pepper, green pepper, undergrowth, tobacco, violet.