
Cabernet Sauvignon, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous and widely planted red grape varieties in the world. It is immensely popular in Australia, where world-class wines are made in Coonawarra, Margaret River and the Yarra Valley. Each region has a distinctive character, but all tend to be more fruit-forward than those from France. Coonawarra has a distinct mint or Eucalypt aroma, Margaret River has a more tomato leaf character, while Yarra Valley is more elegant in style.
Its original home is Bordeaux, where it is the dominant grape on the left bank, Medoc and Graves. In Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. In the New World, it is both blended and made as a straight varietal. Excellent wines are also produced in the Napa Valley and Chile's Maipo Valley. The grapes are thick-skinned providing the characteristic high tannins and deep colour. The Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to show fragrant cassis, herbaceous, full-bodied with high acid.
The United States is now the fourth largest producer of wine worldwide, with an abundance of grapevines planted in many wine regions, though Californian accounts for almost 90% of the countries output. In the late 1800s, the root louse phylloxera decimated many of the vineyards in Europe. It originated in the soils of North America where the vines are naturally resistant and was transferred to Europe on vine cuttings. In this case North America was both the cause of the problem, and the solution, in the form of resistant rootstock for grafting.
It wasn’t until 1973, when Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay from Château Montelana were judged to be the best in the world at the famous Paris Wine Show that the quality of the Californian wine industry was truly confirmed in the eyes of Europe.
Most all varieties are planted these days in the United States, from Syrah to Tempranillo, Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier and every blend in between. Key varieties are Californian Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Cooler climates such as Oregon and Washington produce brilliant Pinot Noir. Even states previously considered too hot and arid for wine, like Arizona are being planted, with great results.
Its original home is Bordeaux, where it is the dominant grape on the left bank, Medoc and Graves. In Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. In the New World, it is both blended and made as a straight varietal. Excellent wines are also produced in the Napa Valley and Chile's Maipo Valley. The grapes are thick-skinned providing the characteristic high tannins and deep colour. The Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to show fragrant cassis, herbaceous, full-bodied with high acid.
The United States is now the fourth largest producer of wine worldwide, with an abundance of grapevines planted in many wine regions, though Californian accounts for almost 90% of the countries output. In the late 1800s, the root louse phylloxera decimated many of the vineyards in Europe. It originated in the soils of North America where the vines are naturally resistant and was transferred to Europe on vine cuttings. In this case North America was both the cause of the problem, and the solution, in the form of resistant rootstock for grafting.
It wasn’t until 1973, when Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay from Château Montelana were judged to be the best in the world at the famous Paris Wine Show that the quality of the Californian wine industry was truly confirmed in the eyes of Europe.
Most all varieties are planted these days in the United States, from Syrah to Tempranillo, Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier and every blend in between. Key varieties are Californian Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Cooler climates such as Oregon and Washington produce brilliant Pinot Noir. Even states previously considered too hot and arid for wine, like Arizona are being planted, with great results.
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- "Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure reflection of our high-elevation vineyard estate, showcasing the wide variety of facings, soils and flora found on its primary ridge." Vibrant aromas of brambly blackberry, black currant, smoky tobacco leaf, and sage dominate, ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ESTATE CABERNET 2016$78.99 Per item
- " Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure reection of our high-elevation vineyard estate, showcasing the wide variety of facings, soils and flora found on its primary ridge." ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ALEXANDER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015$79.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure reflection of our high-elevation vineyard estate, showcasing the wide variety of facings, soils and flora found on its primary ridge." Vibrant aromas of brambly blackberry, black currant, smoky tobacco leaf, and sage dominate, ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ESTATE CABERNET 2015$79.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure reflection of our high-elevation vineyard estate, showcasing the wide variety of facings, soils and flora found on its primary ridge." Vibrant aromas of brambly blackberry, black currant, smoky tobacco leaf, and sage dominate, ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ESTATE SONOMA VALLEY CABERNET 2016$79.99 Per item
- "Our ninth vintage of this appellation Cabernet is blended from a combination of hillside and valley floor vineyards. Our style combines the harmony produced by traditional Bordelaise winemaking techniques with the voluptuousness gained from California’s weather, especially in this ... Learn MoreRAMEY NAPA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013$125.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Stunning example of Californian Cabernet. The 'Rockfall" is a single vineyard, hand picked by winemaker Chris Jackson as the best part of the vineyard. Vibrant aromas of brambly blackberry, black currant, smoky tobacco leaf, and sage dominate, while underneath one ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ROCKFALL CABERNET 2014$164.99 Per item
- 96 points - Robert Parker - "it is staggeringly rich, multidimensional, pure and deep" Stunning example of Californian Cabernet. The 'Rockfall" is a single vineyard, hand picked by winemaker Chris Jackson as the best part of the vineyard. Vibrant aromas of ... Learn MoreSTONESTREET ROCKFALL CABERNET 2012$164.99 Per itemOut of stock
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**THIS ONLINE TASTING IS OVER**
This pack contains a bottle of 4 different wines (2 half bottles and 2 full bottles) to be opened during an online tasting held on the 2nd of July 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdown, ... Learn More
Out of stock - The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and opulent but maintains an underlying thread of pure finesse. Beguiling now, the 2016 will charm your cellar for years to come. ... Learn MoreMOUNT BRAVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016$184.00 Per item
- The palate is structured and masculine, exerting a firm grip in the mouth, spicier than its peers with cracked black pepper complementing the black fruit, tobacco and smoke towards the structured finish. There is great length here, very persistent in ... Learn MoreArnot-Roberts 'Clajeux Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon 2013$189.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Takes inspiration from the lauded reds France's Pauillac. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. On the nose sweet red and black fruits abound; red and black plum, ripe redcurrant and tart black cherry. Balancing the fruit are ... Learn MoreVERITE 'LA JOIE' CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011$475.00 Per item