THE VINE
Cabernet Sauvignon … our old friend
C
abernet Sauvignon is likely
the most recognized red wine
grape variety worldwide. We
see this grape grown in just about every
wine- growing region in the world; from
Australia to Argentina, New York to
France. And of course here in California
and the Santa Clara Valley we are no
exception, we have wonderful examples
from all areas in and around the Santa
Clara Valley. Because this grape thrives in
such a wide variety of climates, we can
fi nd examples of Cabernet Sauvignon from
more places in the world than almost any
other single variety. Many people are not
aware that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually
a cross-breeding of Cabernet Franc and
Sauvignon Blanc, born in France during
the 17th century.
Cabernet Sauvignon, and the family
of grapes collectively referred to as the
“Bordeaux Varieties”, originated in the
Bordeaux region of France; a port city in
the Southwest of the country. Bordeaux
has been producing wines since the time
of the Romans, and with the exception
of a decline during the “Hundred Years’
War” (1337 to 1453), there has been
continuous production and export of wine
in and from Bordeaux. The red grapes
from Bordeaux are commonly blended
together in varying degrees depending
on which side of the Garonne River they
are grown on. They include Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec,
Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere. In
the 19th century, many of the Malbec
vineyards in the area were replaced with
the more hearty Cabernet Sauvignon, due
to the adaptability and better resistance
to disease. This larger group of grapes
are also generally grown together for
96
blending purposes in other countries
besides France. We commonly see either
Merlot or Cabernet Franc as Cabernet
Sauvignon’s blending partner, depending
on the characteristics the winemaker
desires to impart in their finished wines.
On its own, Cabernet Sauvignon
typically exudes flavors of cherry and
blackcurrant/cassis on a base level, but
what characteristics imparted by climate
variations and the use of oak barrels give
Cabernet Sauvignon a wide variety of
possibilities. With warmer climates, we
can also smell and taste opulent fruits,
other red fruits such as raspberry, jam,
blackberry pie, chocolate, coffee, and
more. Cooler climates lean towards
tart fruits, cherry, green bell pepper,
eucalyptus, pencil shavings, and crushed
gravel. With oak usage we find vanilla,
cinnamon, cardamom, and other baking
spices. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the
more complex red grape varieties, and
one that shows much variety based on the
climate in which it is grown.
Here in the Santa Clara Valley, we have
an abundance of high quality Cabernet
Sauvignon being produced by wineries
of all sizes, and many excellent award-
winning examples. A few of my favorites
are Jason-Stephens, Medeiros Family
Wines, and Martin Ranch Winery, all of
which have their 2012 vintages currently
released for sale.
Martin Ranch Winery’s 2012 JD Hurley
Cabernet Sauvignon is a great balanced
wine with notes of red fruit such as cherry
and raspberry, with cinnamon and spice
as well. A great wine for game dishes such
as lamb, this might be the perfect wine for
a rosemary lamb dish.
Medeiros Family Wines 2012 Cabernet
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2016
By Alicia Cuadra
Sauvignon exhibits a rich mixture of
bramble fruit, raspberry, cherry and spice.
Notes of hickory give the wine an added
complexity, and the smooth tannins and
balanced acid structure hint at great
potential for aging as well. If you can resist
drinking this delicious wine now, it will be
the gem of your cellar in 10 or so years.
This wine would be fabulous with a hearty
steak or tri-tip barbeque.
Jason-Stephens 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon is a mixture of red cherry,
vanilla and spice. Notes of red hibiscus
and sweet tarragon; this wine got more
complex with more time in the glass. A
balanced and complex wine to drink on
its own or with food, this wine will also
age gracefully.
Though these three producers are
not by any means a full list of Cabernet
Sauvignon producers in our area, they
tend to focus on this grape variety, and
have provided consistent examples of
this style of wine throughout the years.
A few other wineries in the Santa Clara
Valley with excellent examples of Cabernet
Sauvignon include J. Lohr in San Jose,
Cooper-Garrod in Saratoga, Creekview and
Miramar in San Martin, Sycamore Creek
in Morgan Hill, and Solis and Stefania
in Gilroy. I recommend stopping by and
giving them a try. You might find your
next favorite! Cabernet Sauvignon is such
a versatile wine, you will enjoy comparing
them for yourself.
Alicia Cuadra is a Wine Educator and
Consultant in the Monterey Bay. She is a
certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of
Wine and Italian Wine Professional. Follow
her blog at AliciaSeesWine.com and on
social media @AliciaSeesWine.
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