Origins and history: – Mostly planted in the Bordeaux region of France, the ‘lovechild’ of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (hence the name). Well-travelled grape variety with successful wines made all over the world. Needs a warm climate in order to ripen fully. Good blending partner with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to make some of the world’s best-known and most expensive wines.
Characteristics: – Big, full-bodied red wines with flavours of blackcurrants, cassis, cedar wood and tobacco. Sometimes can also have minty/eucalyptus characteristics especially in Australia. Small berries means bigger tannins than other grape varieties.
Famous Wines: – Chateaux Lafite, Latour etc (Bordeaux, France +/- 70% Cabernet), Ridge Montebello (California)
Good Local Examples: – Alexanderfontein, Vergelegen V, Kanonkop, Thelema
If it was a Person: – James Bond