Red Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon Talking Points and Notes:

The Cabernet Sauvignon varietal grape is red and well known for a thick and durable grape skin that offers excellent resistance to natures elements.

Family Tree:

Cabernet Sauvignon grape originated in France. Its parent wine varietal grapes are based on the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cabernet Franc. One reason that it is popularly blended with Merlot is that the Merlot is really a half sibling to the Cabernet Sauvignon. Both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have the Cab Frank as one parent but different varietals as the other. So, they do have some very overlapping Characteristics. See additional comments on Merlot below.

History:

During the late 70’s and into the 80’s Cabernet Sauvignons along with Chardonnays and Merlots, really woke up the non-wine drinkers in the United States and helped drive the wine industry within the US and specifically California.

Being the elegant and powerful fruit that is very complex and carries a consistency of flavor and when combined with its acidity and complex nature can be aged gracefully. A Cabernet Sauvignon is a one in a kind wine that really has it all for winemakers and mor importantly wine drinkers!

In fact, the Cabernet Sauvignon wine is one of the building blocks, when blended with Merlot, used to create one of the world’s most famous red wine blends called the Bordeaux blend.

Varietal characteristics:

Cabs are known for their tannins, full bodied rich taste, with additional taste notes including but not limited to black fruits like blackcurrant, woodsy flavors (like cedar, oak, or herbs), black cherry and plum, with additional characteristics of licorice, mint, cedar and even eucalyptus that can come from individual varietals.

Characteristically a Cabernet Sauvignon has an aroma that includes, but not limited to, the smell of violets, blackcurrant, cedar, and spices.

Because of the high level of tannins, acidity, phenolics (chemical properties of the grape) and the overall complex nature a Cabernet Sauvignon this wine can excel when aged properly. BUT not all Cabs are the same and aging each one for a fixed time is not recommended.

Blending partners for Cabernet Sauvignon:

  • Petite Verdot
  • Merlot
  • Malbec
  • Cabernet Franc

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