Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most prominent dark-skinned grape varieties except Merlot in terms of area under vines, but which comprises our largest selection of wines. Grown in just about every wine producing region and climate, Cabernet Sauvignon can express a huge range of aromas, from green peppers in cool climates through to dark jammy fruit in hot regions. Common aromas include blackcurrants, mint, graphite, and forest floor, to name a few. Maturation in small oak barrels can develop a complex range of aromas from cedar wood, cigar box and tobacco to eucalyptus and undergrowth. Cabernet Sauvignon’s success is partly due to its ability to adapt to a range of soils and climates. It is the main constituent of the Bordeaux blend in the revered communes of Pauillac, St. Estephe and St. Julien, and has achieved equal success in California’s Napa Valley. It is grown extensively throughout Southern Australia, with some outstanding examples from the Terra Rossa soil of Coonawarra. Cabernet Sauvignon also plays an increasing role in Tuscany, Italy, where it is blended with native varieties such as Sangiovese to produce the Super Tuscans.
Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine region, responsible for two-thirds of the country’s overall wine production. Located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border, vineyards in Mendoza are grown in some of the highest altitudes in the world. Mendoza did not play a significant role in the wine industry until the late 19th century when an immigration trend brought large amounts of Southern Europeans with significant wine knowledge to the region. This elevated Mendoza to world-wide recognition and established it as the fifth largest wine region in the world. While Malbec grows exceptionally well in this region, Mendoza in also known for producing Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés.
