Describe Cabernet Sauvignon
When asked to describe Cabernet Sauvignon, wine lovers are likely to give a variety of answers. That's because Cabernet Sauvignon can change in character based on a number of important factors such as region, ripeness of the grapes, age of the wine, and the individual winemaker. The variety of flavors and other characteristics is what makes Cabernet Sauvignon such a popular wine grape.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape grown in many regions throughout the world. The most well-known Cabernet Sauvignon region is the Bordeaux region in France, particularly the Left Bank of the Bordeaux region, which makes red wine blends that are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, but that have other grapes blended in such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. Other regions that feature Cabernet Sauvignon in blends or as a varietal include Tuscany, Chile, Argentina, California, and Washington. In France, a wine containing the Cabernet Sauvignon is named after the region, so it is called a Bordeaux. In Tuscany, Italy, wine blends that contain the grape are called Super Tuscans. Elsewhere around the world, wines containing Cabernet Sauvignon are typically known by the grape varietal name, unless the wine is made up of a blend of grapes. In the United States, wines labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon may have small amounts of other grapes blended in, although the wines labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon must contain at least 75 percent of the grape.
Describe Cabernet Sauvignon
While it may be difficult to precisely describe Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape has some commonalities that flow across regions and winemakers.
Structure
Cabernet Sauvignon wines typically age well because of the tannins in the wine. During the winemaking process, vintners leave the juice of the grape in contact with the skin after the crush in order to build color and flavor. This is known as the process of maceration. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes contain a high amount of tannins, and as the juice macerates, the more tannic the wine becomes. In general, Cabernet Sauvignon wines are highly tannic; however, the tannins soften as the wine ages. The amount of tannins in the wine is known as the wine's backbone or structure, and some wine collectors age well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon wines for decades before the wine is ready to drink.
Color
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are black grapes, which have a dark purple and almost black appearance. During crush, the juice that comes out of the grapes is clear until the winemaker macerates it with the skin. As the juice remains in contact with the skin, it becomes a darker ruby red in color. Most Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby red in color, and some consider the wine almost purple.
Body
The wine from Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied. It has a rich, thick mouthfeel that seems to coat the tongue and palate. Blending in the juice of other grapes can soften the wine and reduce the body of the wine. One indication of Cabernet Sauvignon's body is its legs. As you swirl the wine around the bowl of a wine glass, it coats the sides and rolls down them slowly.
Flavors
The flavors in Cabernet Sauvignon are highly dependent on the grapes' ripeness when harvested. Less ripe grapes tend to have vegetal flavors such as green bell pepper, while very ripe grapes may display flavors of jam, black currants, plum and dark cherries. Location and winemaker style also contribute to flavors. Commonly described flavors include smoke, tobacco, and eucalyptus. Another thing that affects the flavor in Cabernet Sauvignon is oak. Most Cabernet Sauvignon wines are aged in oak casks, which impart warm flavors of toast and vanilla. The strength of these flavors and aromas depend on the type of oak used and the length of time the wine spends in the oak barrels.
Price
Cabernet Sauvignon wines run the gamut in price from a few dollars for Trader Joe's well-known "Two Buck Chuck" wine from the Charles Shaw Winery to hundreds of dollars for a well-aged Bordeaux grown in an excellent vintage.
The best way to learn about Cabernet Sauvignon is to drink it. Visit your local wine shop for recommendations of different styles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines in your price range and see what flavors you discover in your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.
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