Ch09 Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Flashcards
(43 cards)
What does adding Cabernet Sauvignon to a blend do
Adding Cabernet Sauvignon = adds tannin + acidity + aromatic fruit
What does adding Merlot to a blend do
Adding Merlot = softens + adds body + more drinkable
Characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon
- High Tannin + High Acidity + Strong Aromas
- Black Fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry) + Herbaceous (Green Pepper + Mint)
Cabernet Sauvignon Best Climate
- Best in Moderate to Hot Climate
- Warmer climate = fuller body + softer tannins + more black cherry + less herbaceous
What is Cabernet Sauvignon like in a cool climate?
- Can’t ripen in cool climate
Unripe = harsh + astringent + unpleasant herbaceousness
Cabernet Sauvignon Oaking
- Often oaked
- Softens tannins
- Oaky flavours (Smoke + Vanilla + Coffee + Cedar)
Cabernet Sauvignon Ageing
Intense fruit flavours + High tannin + High acidity = good wine to age
Merlot Characteristics
- Less aromatic + less intense flavour
- Lighter tannin + Lighter Acidity + MORE Body + MORE Alcohol than CS
Merlot in a Hot Climate
- Hot Climate (or overripe moderate climate) =
Blackfruit (blackberry, black plum, black cherry) - Full Body + Medium or Low Acidity + High Alcohol + Medium gentle tannins
- Super ripe = fruitcake + chocolate
Merlot in a Moderate Climate
- Moderate or cooler climates = Red fruit (strawberry, red berry, plum) + Herbal (mint)
- More Tannin + More Acidity
What grape did Chile misidentify?
Some Merlot is actually Carmenere which gives wines a spicy flavour and intense fruit
Where in Chile do you find Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Maipo, Colchagua, Cachapoal
Merlot Aged and Oaked
Often aged in oak = spice + oaky flavours (vanilla, coffee)
France Regions for Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
BORDEAUX (Garonne + Dordogne meet to form Gironde estuary) Left Bank (west and south of Gironde = Cabernet Sauvignon) - Medoc
- Haute-Medoc
• Pauillac
• Margaux - Graves
• Pessac Leognan
Right Bank (north and east of Gironde = Merlot)
- Saint-Emilion AC (best are Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC)
- Pomerol AC
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC
Left Bank Regions
Left Bank (west and south of Gironde = Cabernet Sauvignon) - Medoc
- Haute-Medoc
• Pauillac
• Margaux - Graves
• Pessac Leognan
Left Bank Soil
Best sites are gravel mounds = drain water + retain heat to aid ripening
Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics
- Medium or Full Body + High Tannin + High Acidity + Medium Alcohol + Long Length
- Tough when young
Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon Ageing
- Age = softens tannins
- Age = Blackfruit (blackcurrant, black cherry) + Tasty Oak develops into Vegetal + Tobacco + Cedar complexity
- Best wines from Cru Classe chateaux - world’s most complex long lived reds
Right Bank Merlot Regions
Right Bank (north and east of Gironde = Merlot) Saint-Emilion AC (best are Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC) Pomerol AC
Right Bank Merlot Characteristics
Softer style than Left Bank
Medium Tannin + Medium Acidity
Red fruit (plum, red berry)
Age = Cedar + Tobacco
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC (Higher alcohol than Bordeaux AC)
Many premium quality wines
Medium Body + Medium Tannin + Medium Acidity
Red + Black Fruits
Best consumed young, but can benefit from bottle age
Right Bank Merlot Ageing
Age = Cedar + Tobacco
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC (Higher alcohol than Bordeaux AC)
Many premium quality wines
Medium Body + Medium Tannin + Medium Acidity
Red + Black Fruits
Best consumed young, but can benefit from bottle age
Bordeaux Cab Merlot Regions
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC (Higher alcohol than Bordeaux AC)
Many premium quality wines
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC Characteristics
Medium Body + Medium Tannin + Medium Acidity
Red + Black Fruits
Best consumed young, but can benefit from bottle age
Bordeaux AC and Bordeaux Superieur AC Ageing
Best consumed young, but can benefit from bottle age
