Cabernet Sauvignon

Like or love, this wine is one that everyone has heard about and perhaps tried. ‘Cab Sav’ as it is affectionately known among connoisseurs, is the child of two rather famous parents, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. With a heritage like that its no wonder Cab Sav is amongst one of the world’s most loved varietals. Getting its ‘start’ in the 17th century, this resilient vine is not afraid of bad weather conditions and is adaptable for growing in most climate’s and consistently produces large qualities of crop all over the world!

So, what makes this grape so loved?

The versatility of the grape is remarkable, single varietal or as a blend, it makes wines of distinction. With delectable tasting notes of dark fruit flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry, blackberry, spice, tobacco, wood, and vanilla. And due to the grape’s characteristics of high levels of tannins and being aged in oak barrels, makes this wine one that can be stored for many years.

California in the USA is renowned for its Cab Sav’s which rose to fame in 1976 when an English wine merchant held a blind tasting with France’s top wine critics, the tasting featured both French and Californian wines. “The Judgement of Paris,” as the tasting was labelled, showed that great wines could be produced outside of France - as the Californian wines won! If you’re after a bottle of California Cab Sav which you can keep (or drink now) Ritchie Creek Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, this library wine from the family’s personal cellar is the last of its kind on the market, so is one worth considering.

Another region of the world known for its adverse weather conditions where this grape thrives is South Africa. Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop "Per Se" Cabernet 2016 has a real backbone with a nose of blackberry, plums and cedar and a palate that is pronounced with layers of red cherry, pine nuts and graphite. Worthy of sitting in any collection.

Bordeaux, France where our story started with the creation of Cab Sav, are know for their blends, with Cab Sav being the hero in most, alongside other great varietals such as Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Château Saint-Hilaire Médoc 2014, is a fantastic example of one such wine. Giving a perfectly powerful, refined nose that creates a marriage of red-berried fruit with elegant oak and hints of cedar and spice. The palate displays a plump mouthfeel revealing a balanced structure and notable length.

Sip back and enjoy. Cab-solutely Sav-ulous!