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WSET > Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot > Flashcards

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Flashcards

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1
Q

What does Merlot do for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

It adds softness and body to a generally austere cab.

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2
Q

What does Cab add to Merlot?

A

It adds tannins, acidity and aromatic fruit.

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3
Q

Characteristics of cabernet sauvignon?

A
  • black grape
  • full body
  • deeply colored wine
  • strong tannins
  • acidity
  • aromas
  • high skin to pulp ratio
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4
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon flavor profile:

A
  • black fruits (blackcurrant, black cherry)

- herbaceous notes (bell pepper, mint, cedar)

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5
Q

Why do cabs age well?

A

Because of their tannins, acidity and flavor profile.

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6
Q

What kind of climate do cabs need?

A

A moderate to hot climate. It cannot ripen in cool climates. They will be very harsh and astringent with unpleasant herbaceous flavors, cabbage and meat.

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7
Q

What are characteristics of cabs from hot climates?

A

Fuller-bodied, softer tannins, more black cherry fruit and less herbaceous character.

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8
Q

What are the characteristics of Merlot?

A

Less aromatic, intense flavors and lighter tannins and acidity than cab but generally more body and higher alcohol.

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9
Q

What are characteristics of Merlot wines from over-ripe moderate to hot climates?

A
  • Black fruit character (blackberry, black plum, black cherry, fruitcake)
  • Full body
  • Med or low acidity
  • High alcohol
  • Med level of gentle tannins
  • Some super ripe versions display fruitcake and chocolate flavors
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10
Q

What are characteristics of Merlot wines from cooler climates?

A
  • More elegant style
  • Red fruit character (strawberry, red berry, plum), some herbal notes (mint)
  • a little more tannins and acidity
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11
Q

What is the climate of Bordeaux?

A

Moderate, maritime climate with long warm autumns.

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12
Q

Where is Bordeaux located?

A

Based around the Gironde estuary, where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet.

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13
Q

What are the main appellations of the Left Bank? What is the highest classification?

A
  • Médoc
  • Haut-Médoc (Pauillac, Margaux)
  • Graves (Pessac-Léognan)
  • (Grand) Cru Classé Châteaux
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14
Q

What is the soil like in the Left Bank?

A

Gravel mounds drain water away and retain heat to aid ripening. Need well-drained soil.

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15
Q

What are characteristics of Left Bank wine?

A
  • Cabernets dominate
  • Med-to-full bodied
  • High tannins
  • High acidity
  • Med alcohol- Long length
  • With age, tannins soften and flavors of black fruit (black currant, black cherry) and toasty fragrant oak develop into vegetal, tobacco and cedar complexity
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16
Q

Where is the Right Bank located?

A

To the North and East of the Gironde estuary and Dordogne river.

17
Q

What are the most important appellations?

A
  • Saint-Emilion

- Pomerol

18
Q

What is the soil like in the Right Bank?

A

Clay-based/iron-based soil retains water.

19
Q

What are characteristics of the Right Bank?

A
  • Merlot dominates
  • Wines are generally softer
  • Med tannin levels
  • Med acidity
  • Red fruit character (plum, red berry)
  • Develops cedar and tobacco notes as they age
20
Q

What are the other Bordeaux appellations?

A
  • Bordeaux AC

- Bordeaux Supérieur AC

21
Q

What are the characteristics of the Bordeaux appellation wine? Why?

A
  • Merlot because there’s more vines; they’re cheaper; and these are made to be drunk young.
  • Med-bodied reds
  • Med tannins
  • Med acidity
  • Mixture of red and black fruit flavors
22
Q

Where is cab and merlot grown in Australia? What are its characteristics?

A

Two modern classic regions:

  • Coonawarra: Cabs with distinctive mint/eucalyptus flavors, black fruit (black cherry) and oak notes (toast, vanilla)
  • Margaret River: cab and cab-merlot blends. High tannins with black fruit and herb flavors (blackcurrant, black currant leaf)
23
Q

Where is cab and merlot grown in NZ? What are the characteristics?

A
  • Hawke’s Bay: only area warm enough and where water can drain.
  • High quality of each and blends
  • Have med-high acidity
  • Med-high tannins
  • Herb aromas (cedar, blackcurrant leaf)
24
Q

Where are cabs and merlot wines grown in the US? What are their characteristics?

A
  • Napa Valley- Cabs: High levels of soft, ripe tannins, deeply colored with black cherry and oak flavors
  • Merlot: Generally full-bodied, soft black fruit and fruitcake and oak flavors.
  • Bordeaux blends
25
Q

Where is Cab and Merlot grown in Chile? What are their characteristics?

A

Chile: Maipo Valley, close to Santiago, Colchagua and Cachapoal

  • Cab, Merlot and Bordeaux blends
  • Pronounced herbal characteristics (green bell pepper, blackcurrant leaf) accompanying intense black fruit flavors (black cherry, blackberry)
26
Q

What’s peculiar about Chilean Merlot?

A

Some of the merlot is actually Carménère. Adds intense color and spiced black fruit flavors (blackberry, licorice, pepper)

27
Q

About Argentine Cabs:

A
  • Cabs blended with Malbec.
  • Best Argentine wines are blends.
  • Traditionally they were aged in oak a long time with meaty and leathery flavors
  • Modern styles are more fruity, i.e. where climate is moderated by altitude
28
Q

Where are cabs and merlot grown in South Africa?

A
  • Stellenbosch
  • Cab-merlot blends and some pure varietal blends
  • Have less intense fruit and more herb flavors than similar ones from CA or Australia
  • Close to Bordeaux style with high levels of tannins and acidity
  • most awarded
29
Q

What are the bulk production regions for inexpensive Cab, Merlot and blends?

A
  • Chile- Southern France
  • South Africa (cab)
  • South-Eastern Australia (cab)
  • CA (cab)
  • Argentina (cab)
  • Northern Italy (light-bodied Merlots)
30
Q

What and where are some of the cab/merlot blends?

A
  • Syrah adds softness and richness to Cab: Australia
  • Malbec and Merlot: Argentina
  • Carménère added to Cab and Merlot: Chile

WSET (26 decks)

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