Cabernet Sauvignon

The classic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be full-bodied wines with high tannins and noticeable acidity that contributes to the wine's aging potential. In cooler climates, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to produce wines with blackcurrant notes that can be accompanied by green bell pepper notes, mint and cedar which will all become more pronounced as the wine ages.

Because of the high tannins and quite high acidity inherent with such a small sized grape, Cabernet Sauvignons usually require some time to reach its full drinking potential. Luckily, these same problems mean that these wines can last and mature for a very long time.

Cabernet Sauvignon is of course, the principal grape in all the great Bordeaux and Graves blends and it is no coincidence that many countries attempt to emulate the same blends and to blend more indigenous grapes with this one to produce local variety ‘Bordeaux’.

Cabernet Sauvignon originates in south west France. Other claims have tried to place it as coming from Greece or Spain but these have been disproved.

The parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was discovered as recently as 1996 during the creation of a DNA database containing the profiles of the most important grape varieties. It turns out, to much surprise, that it is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Yes, in spite of the rather large hint in the name, scientists did not want to believe it was. But for once, the received knowledge was right.