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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Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Reserva Especial Single Estate

Winery:	Viña Santa Rita
Region:	Chile » Central Valley » Maipo Valley
Type:	Table Wines

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Cuban Style Marinated Steak

Lively citrus flavors and piquant seasonings combine to create this Cuban influenced marinade for steak. Read more »

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This premium Cabernet category should be on your radar

No doubt when Spanish conquistador Pedro Gutierrez de Valdivia founded the city of Santiago in 1541, he was not thinking of viticulture. However, today the Maipo and Colchagua Valleys produce some of the finest Bordeaux influenced wines in the world.

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Boston Winecadamey Explores Malbec v. Cab, Jesus' Favorites

Will Malbec's rise in popularity be enough to take down legendary champion Cabernet Sauvignon? The question will be answered in a small way in “Malbec vs. Cabernet Sauvignon Taste-Off”, a class offered from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm Jan. 28 at Boston Wine ...

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Mentor for Cabernet Sauvignon Wines

Craig Donofrio

Craig Donofrio is an Advanced Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers and has worked and consulted for some of the nation's top restaurants. He is chief food/wine photographer at Grapevine Studios (www.grapevinestudios.blogspot.com).

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Cabernet Sauvignon on Snooth

June 2017

EM-That Bougetz was a Wine Beserkers Day buy. I recommend you look out for it ... ... Mueller Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, small production, family vineyard. Excellent nose of dark fruit, blackberry, black cherry, currant, oak and still a fair amount of tannins, mediumbody, long finish. This was good in the first glass and great on the... Read More

Forum post in the topic Weekday Wines - Post Pictures...
June 2017

Orin Swift "The Prisoner" Napa Valley Red Blend 2009

Snoothrank:

Structured and layered, and well beyond it's supposed prime, this was great. Blackberry, dustiness, spice, dark cherry, mocha with tolerable tannins and great acidity. Just shows what cellaring properly can do. 92 points - drink now - Paul Read More

Wine review by rckr1951
June 2017

Langhe Rosso Monsordo Ceretto 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by martins2002
June 2017

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Forum post in the topic Current thoughts on our...
June 2017

Peter Lehmann Clancy's Barossa 2014

Snoothrank:

Excellent coloration of dark cherry, hints of ruby and tinges of purple around the edging. Aromas and flavors are deep, with rustic spice, black fruits/currant and some oakiness on the finish, with slight boozy heat. Smooth mouthfeel and a finish that is dry and reasonably clean. I recommend this one and feel that it is a good representation ... Read More

Wine review by chriscage
June 2017

Chateau le Temple Cuvee Tradition Medoc 1998

Snoothrank:

I bought three bottles of this wine from the website ... Le Temple.It consists of 60% cabernet sauvignon,35% merlot and 5% petit verdot and was aged for 18 months in oak barrels. I started my first bottle last night with my chicken supper. There was plenty of red fruit and the tannins are fairly soft but offered little in the way of structure. ... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
June 2017

Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2014

Snoothrank:

Simple aromas of cherry and light cranberry are a touch green. Strawberry and cherry fruit on the palate, fruit forward with good tannins toward the juicy finish. Read More

Wine review by Snooth Editorial
June 2017

MJ - Fancy that, another Napa cab that is quite good. If I had to choose ... had to choose one region for Cabernet Sauvignon, it would be Napa Valley. SIP - That's quite a tasty spread, finished with a nice Pinot Noir. I also like how you combine the pictures too for efficiency. DM - How old are your daughters? &nbs Read More

Forum post in the topic Weekend Wines - Post Pictures...
June 2017

MJ - How did you know that Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon needed 90 minutes in the decanter? Did you sample it every 30 minutes to taste it? I often wonder how long I should decant cabs. Read More

Forum post in the topic Weekday Wines - Post Pictures...
June 2017

Concha Y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Marqués de Casa Concha 2009

Snoothrank:

" young like a baby now; will be better and more evolved come fall, winter and over the next few years. " is what WE said in 2011. Well they were wrong - after 6 years in the cellar this is just plain stupid good. Fruit - muscular but flowing, full bodied and layered with large tannins a driving acidity this last forever. Hold for 2-3 years i... Read More

Wine review by rckr1951

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