Cabernet Sauvignon Flashcards
What is the origin of Cabernet Sauvignon
Southwest France
Cab-Sauv whats the grid generally speaking
Grid and flavours
Aroma=Pronounced black fruits & Herbal aromas
Acid=High Acidity
Tannin=High
Body=Medium to Full
Flavours
* Blackcurrent
* Blackberry
* Cherry
* Mint
* Green Capsicum
*Warm climtates can be cooked fruit
Why is Cabernet ageworthy
- it has lot of fruit flavours
- high acid
- high tannins
All making this an ageworthy wine.
(Think Pauilac)
What climate does Cabernet like
Moderate and Warm Climates
What kind of skin does Cabernet have?
Thick skin
What kind of growing season does cabernet need to fully ripen
Long warm growing season
What grape is Cabernet blended with and why
- Merlot
- Can soften high levels of tannin and acid
- Especially important in cooler vintages and moderate climates where it may struggle to fully ripen
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon usually matured in Oak
- Newly ferments Cab is highly tannin and can be unpleasant
- Maturation in oak softens the tannins due to oxadive nature of the oak barrell.
- New oak also imparts complex and desirable secondary aromas. (Vanila-Clove-Smoke-Cedar)
Why is tannin/acid important in Cabernet and what happens over time in the bottle?
- Tannin and acid act as a natural preservative allowing it to be ageworthy
- Very good and outstanding wines can age for a very long time
- Tannins soften, complex tertiary aromas develop with long periods of bottle ageing
Name 5 Bordeaux AOC’s that are Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
Left Bank
- Pauillac
- Margaux
- Haut Medoc
- Graves
- Pessac-Leognan
What type of soil is typically found on the left bank and why is it good
- Gravel
- Drains well after heavy rain
- Retains heat into the evening helping the cabernet ripen
When is more Merlot added to Bordeaux blends
- On cooler vinatges the cabernet can struggle to fully ripen.
- In these years the % of Merlot is usually increased
What is the other wine region called for Cabernet from France
South France
Languedoc-Roussillion
What are the wines labelled from the Languedoc-Rousillion
- Pays d’Oc IGP
Where are you more likley to find single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in France and why?
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Its warmer here so Cabernet can fully ripen
- The climate is more reliably warm and less variable than Bordeaux
- Cab blends come from this region as well