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If you like fine red wines,
then there's no need to introduce you to
Cabernet Sauvignon - you already know it well!
The indisputed major grape of the five Bordeaux
blending reds, this grape is often found in
blends both in Bordeaux and beyond, although
it can also be found bottled as a
single varietal wine with just Cab. This is a
superb wine for aging, making it popular with
collectors.
The
History of Cabernet Sauvignon
DNA evidence suggests that
Cabernet Sauvignon was created as a hybrid of
the Cabernet France and Sauvignon Blanc grape
varieties (makes sense given the names, of
course). As with Cabernet Sauvignon, both
are typical grapes of France's Bordeaux
region.
Qualities of
the Cabernet
Sauvignon Grape
Cabernet
Sauvignon has a distinctive appearance,
with small, dense, nearly black berries. If you
taste one, you'll find thick, bitter skin and
just a small burst of sweet, flavorful
juice. That high ratio of skin to juice means a
concentrated wine with a high proportion of
pigment and tannin, both of wihch are
contributed by the skin. Clusters are small and
often loosely-fruited, and the vines are
accordingly low in production, making them
best-suited for high-quality rather than bulk
wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
Characteristics
Body: heavy
Tannins: heavy
Acidity: low to
medium
Flavors: usually
dark, black fruits although sometimes red fruit
character is also present; earthy, minty,
smoky/cigar and graphite can also be found -
wines have a very complex flavor
profile
Regions Where Cabernet
Sauvignon is Grown
- Cabernet Sauvignon is
grown worldwide - it is one of the most popular
reds for high-quality growing
- France's Bordeaux is the most famous region
known for Cabernet Sauvignon
- In the U.S., the Napa Valley is also
well-known for Cab, although excellent versions
can be found in other California regions as
well as from Washington state
- In Italy, Tuscany uses Cabernet in its
high-priced 'Super Tuscans'
- Australia and South America also have many
noteworthy bottlings
Cabernet
Sauvignon Fast Facts
- For
France's 'Bordeaux', wines are blended
from five grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon
(others are Merlot, Cabernet France, Malbec and
Petit Verdot). Some Bordeaux are predominantly
Cab while some contain none.
- In Italy, so-called 'Super Tuscans' are also
commonly blends of the Bordeaux varietals
focusing on Cab
-
In the U.S. and other New World growing
regions, Cab is often labelled
varietally; Bordeaux blends typically using Cab
may be labelled
'Meritage'
- Famous Producers (Bordeaux): The five 'First
Growths' of Bordeaux (Chateau Lafite, Chateau
Latour, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Chateau
Margaux, Chateau Haut-Brion), Chateau Léoville
Las-Cases
- Famous Producers (Tuscany): Sassicaia,
Tignanello
- Famous Producers (Napa Valley): Joseph
Phelps, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Chateau
Montelena, Screaming Eagle, Della Valle
- Extremely long aging potential, from 10
- 50 years for the best
bottlings
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
& Food Pairing
- Delicious paired
with strong cheeses or dark
chocolate; also steak, lamb, and richer
game meats
- Easy Food and Wine pairings with Cabernet
Sauvignon:
Braised Beef
Short Ribs with Cheddar Polenta
Flank Steak
Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese
Dressing
Ribeye Steak
with Creamed Spinach
NY
Strip Steak & Parmesan French
Fries
Here are some of our
favorites:
2005
Hall Cabernet
Sauvignon
Hall makes
great wines that are reasonably priced for Napa
quality. Both bold and
well-balanced.
($40)
2005 B
Sides Cabernet
Sauvignon
Made from
grapes from lesser-known areas of Napa (think
the 'flip side' - get it, B Side?). Exceptional
value - ripe, New
World style.
($25)
2007 Cousino Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas
Reservas
Very earthy, natural aroma that takes some air
to open up, suggesting good aging potential.
Hearty tannins sweeten on the
finish. ($15)
2005
Chateau Dauzac,
Margaux
Incredibly delicious and rich now with intense
fruit flavors, this also has lots of aging
potential. ($55)
Next
Variety: Gamay Wine
Grape
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