CABERNET SAUVIGNON
PLACE OF ORIGIN
Bordeaux, France
GROWING CLIMATES
Moderate
Warm
SYNONYMS
Cabernet (New World)
PARENTAGE
Cabernet Franc x
Sauvignon Blanc
HALF SIBLINGS
Carmenère
Hondarrabi Beltza
Merlot
Ruby Cabernet
BERRY DETAILS
Thick Skins
High Anthocyanin
Small Berries
PREFERRED SOIL
Gravel
IN THE VINEYARD
Late Budding
Late Ripening
Vigorous
SUSCEPTIBILITY
Esca
Eutypa Dieback
Powdery Mildew
Photo Courtesy of Wine Grapes Direct
OTHER CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINES
Cabernet Sauvignon is commonly blended with other varieties, and as such, may not always be labeled.
The following are known for including Cabernet Sauvignon:
BORDEAUX
Bordeaux is a region in France that is known for blends with Cabernet Sauvignon. "Left Bank" wines such as Pauillac, St. Julien, and Margaux, are typically Cabernet Sauvignon dominant.
MERITAGE
Meritage is a term created in California for Bordeaux style wines. The blends may only include Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON STYLES
Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in a warm climate and required warm sites in moderate climates to ensure ripening. Due to the berry's thick skins, a long growing season is required for proper ripening. Many wines labeled Cabernet Sauvignon have small portions of other grapes included, to create a more balanced wine, although single varietal bottlings are produced. Cabernet Sauvignon is commonly aged in new oak to round out the high levels of tannins and impart secondary flavors.
MODERATE CLIMATE
Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a moderate climate typically exhibit these characteristics:
FLAVORS
CURRANT
BLACK CHERRY
VANILLA
BELL PEPPER
STRUCTURE
BODY
Moderate to Full
TEXTURE
Lean to Round
ACIDITY
Elevated
TANNIN
High
ALCOHOL
Elevated
MAJOR REGIONS
BORDEAUX
COLUMBIA VALLEY
SONOMA
COLCHAGUA VALLEY
MAIPO VALLEY
HAWKE'S BAY
COONAWARRA
MARGARET RIVER
WARM CLIMATE
Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a warm climate typically exhibit these characteristics:
FLAVORS
BLACKBERRY
CASSIS
MINT
VANILLA
STRUCTURE
BODY
Full
TEXTURE
Round
ACIDITY
Moderate
TANNIN
High
ALCOHOL
High
MAJOR REGIONS
LANGUEDOC
NAPA VALLEY
PASO ROBLES
TUSCANY
CENTRAL VALLEY
SOUTH EASTERN
STELLENBOSCH
COMMON WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES
NEW OAK CONTACT:
Often in the form of a barrel, however, oak chips may be used to recreate the effect of using barrels in a fraction of the time and cost. This contact can occur during fermentation and/or aging. The higher the char on the oak, the more flavor imparted into the wine. These flavors often consist of smoke, vanilla, baking spices, pie crust, and more. This process is very common in Cabernet Sauvignon production to round out its naturally high tannins.
IMPORTANT CABERNET SAUVIGNON CLONES (A-Z)
CLONE 337:
The Cabernet Sauvignon equivalent to a Dijon clone. Brought to California in a suitcase from the Cotes de Blaye. Small clusters and berries with moderate yields and a distinct herbal character.
CONCANNON CLONES:
Three clones originating from the Cancannon Vineyards in Livermore, California (07, 08, and 11). These clones formed the backbone of California Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in the 70s and 80s. Known for high yielding and very good quality.
HERITAGE COLLECTION:
Three clones: FPS 29 from Niebaum-Coppola originally planted in 1882. FPS 30 from Disney Silverado and FPS 31 the Mondavi selection from a 50-year old vine (S block, vine 2) in the To Kalon vineyard.
JACKSON SELECTION:
FPS 06 is harvested from the old Foothill Experiment Station in Amador County. A Mondavi trial of six vineyards and concluded it was the most distinctive, with fewer berries and significantly lower yields.
MENDOZA:
Clone 4 was imported to Davis in 1964 from Mendoza. According to FPS Director Deborah Golino, Austin Goheen arranged the importation because he believed that grape plant material obtained from South America was less likely to be infected with virus.
OAKVILLE SELECTION:
Clone 2 came to FPS from UC's Oakville Experiment Station in Napa Valley. Harold Olmo selected and developed FPS 02. History dates back to the 1880s.
VINCENT SERIES:
Thirteen selections at Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis (FPS 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59) . The Vincent series is from an anonymous and well-respected producer of French wine near Bordeaux, France.
WENTE CLONE:
Clone 7, originally from the Concannon Vineyard in Livermore, California. Known for it's ability to graft well and slightly herbaceous character.