Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting

Saturday, January 20th
4:30 - 7:00

Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, such as California, Chile and Australia.  Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood. DNA profiling carried out in California in 1997 confirmed that Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of a natural genetic crossing between key Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.  Most wine experts agree tat this crossing happened only within the past few centuries, making the variety's global fame and dominance all the more impressive!  For this tasting, we will focus mostly on California Cabernet Sauvignon, looking at three different California regions, but we will also sample a great affordable Bordeaux version (and a rare 100% Cabernet version at that), as well as an opulent, juicy Australian version.   We hope to see you there!

Chateau Gabaron Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux, France, 2016

Two Hands 'Sexy Beast' Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale, Australia, 2015

Steele Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Hills Vineyard, Lake County, California, 2014

Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, 2013

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, 2014