Cabernet Sauvignon is the most famous red grape variety, rivalled only by Merlot and Pinot Noir. From its origins in the «Left Bank» of Bordeaux, it has spread to every wine-growing regions of the world.
Cabernet Sauvignon's worldwide success is explained by its capability to grow on every type of soils, but this variety really blossom on drained poor soils. It can be cultivated all over the world because the grape is adaptable to different climates and latitudes. Furthermore, the wine keeps its distinctive «Cab» character despite the wide range of specific regions where it is cultivated.
Cabernet Sauvignon Caracteristics
Cabernet Sauvignon's vines grow small berries with thick dark blue skins. With its late flowering and late ripening, this variety matures slowly. The robust and vigorous vines can produce high yield of berries.
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are relatively full-bodied, with strong tannins, with a dark bluish color. The characteristic aromas are blackcurrant, mint and pepper. The wine is usually matured in oak barrels to add vanilla flavor and cedar wood notes.
Where to find the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines
Cabernet Sauvignon is wildly cultivated in California, the best wines coming from Napa Valley. The Californian red wines develop a strong blackcurrant aroma combined with integrated notes of mint and eucalyptus.
The South African red wines are fruitier with less structured tannins.
In Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon blossom the best on Coonawarra's Terra Rossa where it produces bright mentholed wines.
The Bordeaux wines give some of the best examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. They are medium-bodied to full-bodied, elegant with a good ageing potential. Often blend with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the variety produces great red wines with intense blackcurrant flavors and complex notes of cedar and tobacco.
Mitolo, Mollydooker, Barnaves, Penfolds, Wynns in Australia,Thelema, Vergelegen, Glenelly in South Africa, Paul Hobbs and Joseph Phelps in California are shiny examples of great producers who gives the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
This famous grape variety is the basis of Medoc Grands Crus and the excellent wines from Pauillac and Graves.
