Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Flashcards
What does Merlot do for Cabernet Sauvignon?
It adds softness and body to a generally austere cab.
What does Cab add to Merlot?
It adds tannins, acidity and aromatic fruit.
Characteristics of cabernet sauvignon?
- black grape
- full body
- deeply colored wine
- strong tannins
- acidity
- aromas
- high skin to pulp ratio
Cabernet Sauvignon flavor profile:
- black fruits (blackcurrant, black cherry)
- herbaceous notes (bell pepper, mint, cedar)
Why do cabs age well?
Because of their tannins, acidity and flavor profile.
What kind of climate do cabs need?
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.
What are characteristics of cabs from hot climates?
Fuller-bodied, softer tannins, more black cherry fruit and less herbaceous character.
What are the characteristics of Merlot?
Less aromatic, intense flavors and lighter tannins and acidity than cab but generally more body and higher alcohol.
What are characteristics of Merlot wines from over-ripe moderate to hot climates?
- 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
What are characteristics of Merlot wines from cooler climates?
- More elegant style
- Red fruit character (strawberry, red berry, plum), some herbal notes (mint)
- a little more tannins and acidity
What is the climate of Bordeaux?
Moderate, maritime climate with long warm autumns.
Where is Bordeaux located?
Based around the Gironde estuary, where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet.
What are the main appellations of the Left Bank? What is the highest classification?
- Médoc
- Haut-Médoc (Pauillac, Margaux)
- Graves (Pessac-Léognan)
- (Grand) Cru Classé Châteaux
What is the soil like in the Left Bank?
Gravel mounds drain water away and retain heat to aid ripening. Need well-drained soil.
What are characteristics of Left Bank wine?
- 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
Where is the Right Bank located?
To the North and East of the Gironde estuary and Dordogne river.
What are the most important appellations?
- Saint-Emilion
- Pomerol
What is the soil like in the Right Bank?
Clay-based/iron-based soil retains water.
What are characteristics of the Right Bank?
- 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
What are the other Bordeaux appellations?
- Bordeaux AC
- Bordeaux Supérieur AC
What are the characteristics of the Bordeaux appellation wine? Why?
- 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
Where is cab and merlot grown in Australia? What are its characteristics?
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)
Where is cab and merlot grown in NZ? What are the characteristics?
- 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)
Where are cabs and merlot wines grown in the US? What are their characteristics?
- 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
Where is Cab and Merlot grown in Chile? What are their characteristics?
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)
What’s peculiar about Chilean Merlot?
Some of the merlot is actually Carménère. Adds intense color and spiced black fruit flavors (blackberry, licorice, pepper)
About Argentine Cabs:
- 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
Where are cabs and merlot grown in South Africa?
- 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
What are the bulk production regions for inexpensive Cab, Merlot and blends?
- Chile- Southern France
- South Africa (cab)
- South-Eastern Australia (cab)
- CA (cab)
- Argentina (cab)
- Northern Italy (light-bodied Merlots)
What and where are some of the cab/merlot blends?
- Syrah adds softness and richness to Cab: Australia
- Malbec and Merlot: Argentina
- Carménère added to Cab and Merlot: Chile
