As of 2010 harvest, reports indicate that Washington, New York & Oregon account for additional 6% of production, meanwhile Virginia, Missouri and Texas's wine industries are growing to a point beyond that of just a tourist attraction.Ĭalifornia is one of the most diverse wine producing regions of the world. 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.Īlthough wine is made in all 50 states, it is understandable, with almost 90% of the country's production, that California is synonymous with domestic wine. It is grown extensively throughout Southern Australia, with some outstanding examples from the Terra Rossa soil of Coonawarra. Julien, and has achieved equal success in California’s Napa Valley. It is the main constituent of the Bordeaux blend in the revered communes of Pauillac, St. Cabernet Sauvignon’s success is partly due to its ability to adapt to a range of soils and climates. Maturation in small oak barrels can develop a complex range of aromas from cedar wood, cigar box and tobacco to eucalyptus and undergrowth. Common aromas include blackcurrants, mint, graphite, and forest floor, to name a few. 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. This refined and age-worthy wine simultaneously offers a long lingering finish, with lively acidity and a sturdy structure at the close.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. The wine's round mouthfeel and satiny tannins wrap around classic flavors of cassis,blackberry and black cherry.
The 2012 Opus One effuses fresh dark fruit aromas accentuated by subtler notes of forest-floor and graphite. I imagine the 2013 may even eclipse this, but this 2012 is one of their great ones, with a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood all present in this beautiful, full-bodied wine that should drink well for 25-30 years. They have continued to strengthen the quality of wine and seem to have produced a brilliant, world-class wine. This Pauillac lookalike, made by the staff at Mouton Rothschild, is a beauty. A classy, complex, suave and savory 2012 Opus One, with notes of toasty oak and crème de cassis. The iconic 2012 Proprietary Red Opus One is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec aged 18 months in French oak. Hard not to drink now but better in 2018. Tight and compacted tannins with beautiful fruit and great length.
Full body with seamless tannins and balance.
Hints of mint too, plus hazelnut and chocolate. Glorious purity of fruit here with black currants, blueberries, dark chocolate, fresh herbs and forest floor. Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Finishes with a long, layered aftertaste. The dense core of fruit pushes through a front of rustic graphite and loamy earth. A Pauillac-like expression from Napa Valley, this features smoky, toasty oak from the get-go, framing the intense flavors of earth, crushed rock and gravelly dried dark berry.