Wine Series #1 – Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine is a pivotal part of many a date night, dinner, casual or formal social events. A basic understanding of wine is essential knowledge for a man over 50 if for nothing else to make an informed decision if asked to select for your party.

In this series, we’ll look at the one of the widest-reaching varietals: the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Background & Trivia: Cabernet Sauvignon refers to the type of red grape that are used to create the wine. The grape is full and hardy, resistant to environmental factors and thus able to be planted across varying types of soil and regions. It was created roughly around the 17^th century in France by breeders combining the red Cabernet Franc and white Sauvignon Blanc grape plants.

You may hear Cabernet referred to as Old World or New World. Old World is referring to its origins in Europe (France predominantly, but can be found in Italy, Spain, Portugal among other European countries). New World refers to its abundance in the Americas, from North and South America to Canada.

Characteristics: Typical characteristics of the Cabernet wines:

• Deeply colored, dark and heavy. (Classic Cabernet)
• Full-bodied, (the texture of the wine in your mouth). Cabernet’s have rich and well-rounded flavors. New World varieties, particularly South American, are less fruity and more robust.
• Low to moderate acidity. (The fresh, tart or sour taste) Cabernet’s should not be harsh, but you should taste a slight tartness.
• Good tannins (the dryness in your mouth after drinking). Cabernet’s are dry but flavorful.
• Structure (combining the above) and enjoyable aromas round out a Cabernet. You can expect flavors (depending on the vineyard) of dark fruits: plum, blackberry, cassis (blackcurrant), and cherries. Some varietals can produce hints of green peppers, tobacco and possibly vanilla.

Pairings: Cabernets should be paired with food, given its tannin and acidity levels. Not to say you can’t find a tasteful, social Cab, (Vistamar has worked for me) but you’ll probably have better results with a meal. Grilled red meats, especially well-marbled steak cuts, go great with Cabernets. You can pair with Braised Short Ribs, Beef Tenderloin, Briskets, Beef Wellington and even Lamb.

Location Information: If choosing Old World, remember that Cabernets are most prominent in Bordeaux, France but also grown in Tuscany in Italy and Spain.

• Bordeaux
  • Bordeaux is split by the river Gironde and Cabernet is most planted along the left bank of the river.
  • St. Estephe, St. Julien, Paulliac, Margaux, Haut Medoc and the Medoc are the major regions in the left bank.
  • Stylistically, left bank Bordeaux’s tend to lean towards high acidity and high tannin making them quite age-worthy. Values do exist in the left bank, but prices coupled with the aging requirements tend to be a barrier for many consumers.
• Italy
  • Italian Cabernets are less common but do exist.
  • Grown in Tuscany and mostly used in blending but single varietal wines do exist.
  • Bolgheri is the only DOC, Denominazione Origine Controlata, in Italy that is allowed to use Cabernet as a prominent varietal.
  • IGT, Indicazione Geographica Tipica, is the most commonly used classification for Cabernet or Cabernet blends.
  • The more traditional Cabernet blends trend towards earthy/brambly with medium to high acidity and medium to high tannins.
  • Certain producers make Cabernets and Cabernet based blends in a New World style: polished and fruit forward, less focus on the earthiness and tannin with low to medium acidity

• Spain
  • Select regions in Spain do allow Cabernet but it is still not very common.
  • Mostly used in blending and run the gamut from the old world structure to the new world fruit.
  • Single varietal Cabernet wines are made in Spain. They are typically value oriented and produced in an inexpensive and more everyday style

New World – Most major New World regions have plantings of Cabernet. California, Washington State, Oregon, Australia, Chile, Argentina are considered the New World, and each region has a style unto themselves.

• California
  • Most famous in the Napa Valley of California. Judgment of Paris in 1976 put Napa Valley on the map for winemaking.
  • Cabernets from California, especially Napa Valley, tend to focus on the fruit. Wines tend to be higher in alcohol with low to medium tannin and low to medium acidity.
  • Wines made in a more approachable and friendly style. Meant to be consumed relatively quickly without the need for long term aging.

• Washington State
  • Less exuberant than their California counterparts but still trend towards being fruit driven while being darker and more brooding, medium acidity and medium tannin.
  • Columbia Valley, Walla Walla and Yakima are their prominent grape growing regions.

• Oregon
  • Cabernet is uncommon in Oregon but it is grown in the Rogue Valley which borders California and is one of the warmest regions in Oregon.
  • Wines are more in line with California than the Pinot Noir that Oregon is most famous for.

• Argentina
  • Not the most widely planted grape but excellent examples exist, polished and fruit forward but not as over-the-top as Californian varieties.
  • Mendoza is the major region but Patagonia and San Juan feature as well, vineyards are dotted along the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
  • Typically softer and lighter than California but can present with noted earthiness and acidity.

• Chile
  • Cabernet is the most widely planted grape in Chile.
  • Tends to be similar to Argentina in terms of style but does have green/bell pepper aromas and flavors.

• Australia
  • Not as widely planted as Shiraz but produces some of the best Cabernets in the world. Mostly planted in Coonawarra but planted in Barossa Valley, Margaret River, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Limestone Coast, Clare Valley and the Eden Valley.
  • Australian Cabernets are, generally, not as overpowering as California.
  • Tannin is extracted out as much as possible creating an approachable and more refined Cabernet but still has the polish and fruit that the New World made famous.

Selections: Undoubtedly, you’ll find brands or vineyards that will become your favorites, but hopefully we can offer selections that will make your list.

• France
  • Most Famous
    • Chateau Lafite Rothschild
    • Chateau Mouton Rothschild
    • Chateau Margaux
    • Chateau Haut-Brion
    • Chateau Latour
    • Chateau Palmer
    • Chateau Lynch-Bages
    • Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
  • Values
    • Chateau Bois Redon
    • Chateau Feret Lambert
    • Chateau De Camarsac
    • Luc Pirlet Cabernet
    • Gassier Cabernet Les Pilliers
• Italy
  • Most Famous
    • Sassicaia
    • Ornellaia
    • Solaia
    • Tignanello
  • Values
    • Villa Pozzi Cabenet Sauvignon
    • Renieri Invetro
    • Casa di Terra Moreccio Bolgheri
• California
  • Napa Valley
    • Most Famous
      • Chappellet Signature, Pritchard Hill
      • Screaming Eagle Cabernet
      • Bryant Family Cabernet
      • Colgin
      • Dalle Valle Maya
      • Caymus
      • Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
      • Bevan Cellars
    • Values
      • Courtney Benham Cabernet Napa
      • Iter Cabernet Napa
      • Christophe Cabernet Napa
      • Seven Rings Cabernet Oak Knoll District
• Sonoma
  • Most Famous
    • Peter Michael
    • Silver Oak
    • Louis M Martini
  • Values
    • Kicker Cane Alexander Valley
    • Kicker Cane Sonoma County
    • Louis M Martini Sonoma County
    • Olema Cabernet Sonoma
    • Owl Ridge Red Blend TYTO
    • Rodney Strong Cabernet Sonoma
    • Martin Ray Cabernet Sonoma
• Central Coast
  • Most Famous
    • Austin Hope
    • Justin
    • Ridge
    • Daou
  • Values
    • Carson Ridge Cabernet Paso Robles
    • Muirwood Cabernet Arroyo Seco
    • Sextant Cabernet Paso Robles
    • Courtney Benham Cabernet Central Coast
    • Martin Ray Cabernet Santa Cruz Mountains
• Argentina
  • Most Famous
    • Vina Cobos
    • BressiaTerrazas de los Andes
    • Achaval Ferrer
    • Cheval des Andes
  • Values
    • Mascota Vineyards La Mascota Cabernet
    • Mascota Vineyards Unanime
    • Mascota Vineyards Cabernet Gran Reserva
• Chile
  • Most Famous
    • Almaviva
    • Sena
    • Don Melchor
    • Montes
    • Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta
    • Eduardo Chadwick
  • Values
    • Clos d’Angel La Finca Cabernet
    • Brisandes Cabernet
    • Los Vascos Cabernet
    • Vistamar Gran Reserva Cab/Syrah
    • Arboleda Cabernet
    • Veranda Cabernet/Carmenere
• Australia
  • Most Famous
    • William Randell Cabernet
    • Elderton Ashmead Cabernet
    • Penfolds Bin 707, Bin 407
    • Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Values
    • Snake & Herring “Dirty Boots” Cabernet
    • Snake & Herring “Cannonball” Cabernet Blend
    • Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet
    • Two Hands Wine Sexy Beast Cabernet