Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon could have a romanticized, dream-like movie made of its origins and life. In 17th century France, some vineyards happened to have Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc planted near each other. Then, Cabernet Sauvignon came about. Wine producers noticed that the grapes produced high-tannin wines that had thick skins. This made the grape great for planting in a variety of conditions and climates, so Cabernet Sauvignon quickly became one of the dominant grapes in Bordeaux. Over the centuries, the grape’s popularity for wine producers and consumers has spread across the world.

The grape really came to shine and elevated California’s wine status in 1976 during the Judgement of Paris. The state had been producing Cabernet Sauvignon for decades, but it went unnoticed until a panel of 12 French judges ranked some California Cabernet Sauvignons (and Chardonnays) over world-renowned French bottles. In 1996, researchers at UC Davis discovered the origins of the grape as we know them today and previously described. Since then the grape has grown immensely. It is the most widely planted wine-producing grape around the world, claiming over 840,000 acres. California, Washington, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa are countries that have capitalized on the grape.

Characteristics

Cabernet Sauvignon is a very distinctive grape and carries similar characteristics across many of its styles. The grape is known for being big, deep, and bold. The wine usually comes out with high tannins and fairly high alcohol, ranging from 13% – 16%.

Common aromas and tasting notes include dark fruits such as blackberry, plum, and black currant. Other complimenting notes can include chocolate, baking spices, vanilla, tobacco, and occasionally even herbal and vegetal notes. These will usually vary by region and other factors.

Regions

France

Cabernet Sauvignon, as we know it, has its roots in the Bordeaux region of France. The grape has been used as a blending and foundational grape since the 17th century. It is particularly known for its dominant role in the Left-Bank of Bordeaux, though it is used all over the region. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc here.

It is also used in other regions such as Loire, Provence, and parts of Sud Ouest. In Provence, the grape is blended with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and a few others to make big, bold red blends. In Madiran, Cabernet Sauvignon is usually used in small amounts to round out their heavy, tannic Tannat blends.

United States

California is the home and heart of American Cabernet Sauvignon. While it had been planted in the state throughout the 20th century, its claim to fame came in 1976 after the Judgement of Paris. After the results of this famous wine tasting, the grape blew up in the United States. California is also largely responsible for its success and upstart as a single-varietal wine. They tend to be bold, very fruit-forward, and oaky. Wineries such as Stag’s Leap, Chateau Montelena, Jordan, Caymus, and many others have achieved world-class reputations for their Cabernet Sauvignon.

Washington has also been making waves in recent years with the grape, particularly in Columbia Valley. This AOC covers the large majority of the state’s vineyards. In terms of quality, their Cabernet Sauvignon is on par with the quality of that of California and France. The state provides a softer, and at times, a more earthy alternative to their southern neighbor.

Australia

Australia has been producing Cabernet Sauvignon for as long as most, but they began to get international attention in the 1970s with the Coonawarra and Margaret River regions, though the grape is produced all over the country. Today, the Barossa Valley is producing some of Australia’s most notable Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape is used for single-varietal wines as well as a blending grape with Australian Shiraz.

Argentina

As Argentina’s wine production has regained its former glory over the past couple of decades, the country has been producing popular, well-received Cabernet Sauvignon for years. Many Argentinean producers use it as a blending grape with Malbec and others, though many still focus on single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. They are known for being a little funky with tobacco, leather, and earthy characteristics, but they usually have plenty of fruit.

South America, in general, produces a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon in countries such as Chile, Uruguay, and a few others. While they share similar characteristics to their Argentinean neighbor, they still carry their own unique notes and terroir. For example, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is known for having a bell pepper and other pepper notes and aromatics.

South Africa

South Africa produces an interesting variety of grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon often being at the center of them. It is the most widely planted red grape in the country and is commonly blended with Shiraz. Many single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon is produced as well, and it is known for being bold and fruit-forward with unique herbal notes.