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Cabernet Sauvignon

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Species: Vitis Vinifera
Parentage: Cross between Cabernet franc & Sauvignon blanc
Aliases: Bouchet, Bouche, Petit-Bouchet, Petit-Cabernet, Petit-Vidure, Sauvignon Rouge, Bidure
Grape Color: Black
Regions: Bordeaux, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Australia
Other important regions include Tuscany, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Australia
Type(s) of Wine the Grape Produces:
Classified Bordeaux Estates, Californian cult wines

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Cabernet Sauvignon is wildly popular in wine regions throughout both the Old World and New World. Its most intimate roots trace back to the Bordeaux Wine Region in Southern France.

For an avid wine drinker, some major elements of the Cabernet Sauvignon are worth noting. The most distinctive element of Cabernet Sauvignon is its black currant aroma, which is present in all its wines worldwide.

Revered for being tough-skinned, its reputation Read more

Revered for being tough-skinned, its reputation in the wine world lies in its ability to age and develop maturely in a bottle. The grape’s thick skin keeps it resistant to disease while contributing to its aging expertise.

Regardless of any consistency Cabernet Sauvignon has in its aging process, each stage wildly differs from the next. An unripe Cabernet Sauvignon tastes herblike, like bellpeppers, while an overripe version tastes like...jam. And while young Cabernet Sauvignon tastes similar to black cherries and plums, a mature one brings the ever-picturesque definition of the word into the fruit, embodying the flavors of cedar, cigar boxes, and pencil shavings.

A warm climate strongly influences whether or not a ripened Cabernet Sauvignon grape should be used as a varietal or a blended component. Abundant sunshine is directly correlated with the production of varietal wines from a Cabernet Sauvignon grape, since it ripens to its fullest potential. In regions with a cooler, less ideal climate, Cabernet Sauvignon acquires a ‘green bell pepper’ flavor, as a result of not being fully ripened. In the late 20th century, they were thus coined the nickname “Monterey Veggies.” Other cooly-grown Cabernet Sauvignon flavors include mint and eucalyptus.

Though Cabernet Sauvignon has proven to be adaptable to most vineyard soil types, it has historically performed best in gravel. Gravel provides drainage as well as heat radiation, thus aiding the ripening process. For winemakers, the ultimate goal is to always, always, always allow these varietals to ripen to their highest capabilities.

Lastly, Cabernet Sauvignon has high levels of tannin. Winemakers will tell you that these varietals excrete a sense of richness, liveliness. Yet this same emphatic taste tends to overwhelm one’s palette when paired with light, delicate foods.

Je ne sais quoi, the French say. “I don’t know what.”

A little black grape in Bordeaux says otherwise.

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Updates to Cabernet Sauvignon

Aug 19, 2011 at 3:00pm

89065Gregory Dal Piaz added a description for Cabernet Sauvignon

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Cabernet Sauvignon on Snooth

May 2012

Spann Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Snoothrank: Starting at $30^.78

Wonderful mix of black cherry, blackberry, and cassis with notes of tar and spices (bay leaf, others). Good fruit but not overly jammy, well balanced with silky tannins and oak providing vanilla notes. Moderate but flavorful, slightly peppery finish.

Wine review by cgplayer9
May 2012

Chateau D Argadens 03 France Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Snoothrank:

Great fruit and oak on the nose but NOTHING in the taste. Very plain taste, we were disappointed.

Wine review by rufus1841
May 2012

OK. Went to West Plano (North Dallas for non-local folks) Costco today to ... up a bottle of Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 for myself.From my limited knowledge of winery, this seemed to be a very good deal. If it is not, please don't tell me... ;-

Forum post in the topic Costco Wines
May 2012

Chateau du Tertre Margaux Chateau du Tertre 2005

Snoothrank:

look = 6/10, smell = 14/20, taste = 15/20; total = 35/50

Wine review by mistersplice
May 2012

Chateau Palmer Margaux Grand Cru Classe 2002

Snoothrank:

look = 6/10, smell = 16/20, taste = 14/20; total = 36/50

Wine review by mistersplice
May 2012

Tenuta di Nozzole Il Pareto Toscana IGT 2007

Snoothrank:

look = 6/10, smell = 14/20, taste = 10/20; total = 30/50

Wine review by mistersplice
May 2012

Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon

Snoothrank:

Decent Cab for the price. Light bodied and easy to drink. Not too much structure but a decent Cabernet to enjoy with friends.

Wine review by Stallion
May 2012

Milbrandt Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Traditions 2009

Snoothrank:

Had this along with other Washingtons at a local tasting. This had a roasted caramel taste which reminded me of the Luck Charms cereal.For more, please visit http://dionyshius.blogspot.com/2012/05/washingtons.html Read more

Wine review by shsim
May 2012

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Snoothrank:

Had this along with other Washingtons at a local tasting. This Cab is a little on the sweet side for me. Or am I biased by olive bread I am eating? For more, please visit http://dionyshius.blogspot.com/2012/05/washingtons.html Read more

Wine review by shsim
May 2012

Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Snoothrank:

Had this along with other Washingtons at a local tasting. There was plenty going on for this one. It smells like super glue, paint and raw tuna. It was complex in flavor with a flavor explosion in the mouth. Had none of the glue or paint (phew!), but had tobacco and fruits (hmmmm... Read more

Wine review by shsim