Great Bordeaux Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety from the Bordeaux region which is most common on the left bank region (Médoc and Graves) but which is only rarely found on the right bank because it doesn’t always reach its full maturity, thus lending wines composed of this variety a certain hardness. In contrast, on the left bank, thanks to a less dense soil that allows the heat that has built up in the earth during the day to be released more easily at night-time, the ripening process is quicker and more balanced. This variety can therefore ripen fully. In order to arrive at the ideal stage of ripeness, a very dry and sunny climate is needed, as the 2005 vintage demonstrates. Cabernet Sauvignon is not very high yielding, but produces wine ideal for long term cellaring and offers rich tannins and complex aromas. It generally produces medium-sized, relatively compact clusters with dark, thick-skinned grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon is frequently married with Merlot and Cabernet Franc varieties and in smaller quantities, with the Petit Verdot variety.
Cabernet sauvignon is also called bidure, cabernet petit, petit bouchet, petit cabernet, petite vidure, sauvignon rouge or sauvignonne.

The others Bordeaux grape varieties

The red :
- Cabernet franc
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec
- carménère

The white :
- Sauvignon
- Sémillon
- muscadelle