Cabernet Sauvignon

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Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous grape varieties on earth and is likewise found cultivated in countries all over it. Having said that, it is generally synonymous with some of the most revered and sought-after wines from Bordeaux, as well as notable new world regions like the Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley.

Despite the ubiquity of Cabernet Sauvignon in grape cultivation across the world, the variety is a relatively new one and in 1997 it was discovered to have been a chance crossing of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc parent varietals sometime in the 17th century.

The first estates known to have actively grown Cabernet Sauvignon were Château Mouton and Château d'Armailhac in Pauillac. Its subsequent and fast ascension as one of the world's dominant grapes owes much to its adaptability to different soil types and climates, coupled with its innate ability to retain its distinctive character in each. A vigorous variety, Cabernet Sauvignon produces high grape yields and producers can easily choose between quality and quantity. It does however ripen late in the season, so is best suited to warmer climates for varietal wines, and tends to feature more commonly in blends where the temperatures are cooler.

Notable Cabernet Sauvignon wines include the blends of the classified Bordeaux estates, with Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Latour using particularly high percentages, and the cult new world varietal wines like Napa Valley's Screaming Eagle.

Notable regions

Bordeaux is the the primary region for Cabernet Sauvignon and accounts for well over half of the grape's cultivation in France. It performs partcularly well in gravelly soils so its found as the dominant variety in blends within sub-regions like Médoc, Graves, and gravelly areas within Côtes de Bourg and Blaye.

In California the grape is synonymous with the North Coast AVA, particularly in Napa Valley and Sonoma, while in South Australia the Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek regions are famous for their Cabernet Sauvignon Wines. Elsewhere regions like Maipo Valley in Chile and South Africa's Stellenbosch and Constantia are also globally recognised.

Characteristics

Cabernet Sauvignon produces dry red wines with full body, medium-high tannins and medium acidity. As the grape is cultivated with success in a variety of climates and terroir, the characteristics of the wine can be varied.

The dominant flavours and aromas tend to be of fruits like black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry and plum, herbal notes like anise or mint and mineral notes of graphite. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes also contain methoxypyrazines as a natural defence against pests, which are aroma compounds that produce notes of bell pepper, green peppercorn, and dark chocolate.