Masterclass: Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends, presented by Brian Croser

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Presented by John Citizen 24th August 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon and Friends(or What’s wrong with Cabernet Sauvignon?)

Brian Croser AO22nd September, 2010

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• Cabernet Sauvignon appeared sometime late in the 17th century in Bordeaux.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is the offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is defined by its late ripening, high tannins and colour, high malic acid and its propensity to retain high levels of IBMP in cool damp vintages and soils.

Pedigree of Cabernet Sauvignon


“Organoleptic Impact of IBMP on Red Bordeax and Loire Wines. Effect of Environmental Conditions on Concentrations During

Ripening”. Boubee et. al.

• The analysis of “89 red Bordeaux wines showed that Cabernet (Sauvignon) wines were more commonly affected by this vegetal character.”

• “A very good correlation was shown between the breakdown of malic acid and IBMP as the grapes ripened irrespective of grape variety, type of soil, or weather conditions.”

Cabernet Sauvignon and IBMP


“The best vintages were those in which the water balance from flowering to harvest was most negative.”

“ The best soils were those on which water deficits resulted in earlier shoot growth slackening, reduced berry size and high sugar and anthocyanin concentrations thereby increasing grape quality

potential.” (van Leeuwen et. al.)

Cabernet Sauvignon and Terroir


“The Concept of Terroir in Viticulture” van Leeuwen and Seguin.

“The best expression of terroir is achieved when the precocity of the grapevine is suited to the local climatic conditions in such a way that full ripeness is reached by the end of the growing season.”

For the production of high quality red wines environmental conditions should induce moderate vine vigour, either through moderate water deficit stress or through low nitrogen supply. These conditions

are most frequently met on shallow or stony soils, in moderately dry climates.”

Cabernet Sauvignon and Terroir


(Galdstones’s Groupings 1 to 8)

• Merlot-Group 4 (>1200°C days)

• Malbec-Group 4 (>1200°C days)

• Cabernet Franc-Group 5 (>1250°C days)

• Shiraz-Group 5 (>1250°C days)

• Cabernet Sauvignon-Group 6 (>1300°C days)

• Petit Verdot-Group 7 (>1350°C days)

• Carmenere-Group 7+ (>1350°C days)

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blending Partners


• Merlot = Cabernet Franc x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (4)

• Malbec = Prunelard x Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (4)

• Cabernet Franc = origins unknown, brought to the Loire and Bordeaux by Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century. (5)

• Shiraz = Dureza x Mondeuse Blanche (5)

• Petit Verdot = parentage unknown, probably came to Bordeaux with the Romans from around Toulouse. (7)

• Carmenere = Cabernet Franc x Gros Cabernet (7+)

Pedigree of the B Team


Climate ParametersRegion GDD (C days) Diurnal Range (C) Growing Season

Rain (mm’s)Afternoon Humidity (%)

Medoc 1485 11.4 427 59

Pomerol 1599 11.6 405 59

Hermitage 1484 12.8 625 54

Santa Cruz 1411 9.1 70 49

Willyabrup 1648 11.2 253 57

McLaren Vale 1710 10.7 282 51

Langhorne Creek 1650 11.7 205 52

Yarra Valley 1377 14.8 377 50

Eden Valley 1327 14.7 266 46

Clare Valley 1842 14.2 220 29

Coonawarra 1361 15.0 257 48


The WinesWine Varietal Composition

2008 Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Zema Estate Saluti, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) Shiraz (45%)

2004 Wynns John Riddoch Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains (California)

Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) Merlot (22%) Petit Verdot (6%) Cabernet Franc (2%)

2008 Moss Wood Amy's, Margaret RiverCabernet Sauvignon (71%) Petit Verdot (11%) Malbec (11%) Merlot (7%)

2007 Cullen Diana Madeline, Margaret RiverCabernet Sauvignon (84%) Merlot (8%) Cabernet Franc (4%) Petit Verdot (4%)

2007 Vasse Felix Heytesbury, Margaret RiverCabernet Sauvignon (72%) Malbec (15%) Petit Verdot (13%)


Wine Varietal Composition

2004 Hardy Wine Co. Thomas Hardy, Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac (Bordeaux)Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) Merlot: (29%) Cabernet Franc (6%) Petit Verdot (1%)

2004 Wirra Wirra Angelus, McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Henschke Cyril Henschke, Eden ValleyCabernet Sauvignon (75%) Merlot (17%) Cabernet Franc (8%)

2006 Lake Breeze Arthur's Reserve, LanghorneCreek

Cabernet Sauvignon (82%) Petit Verdot (9%) Malbec (9%)

2006 Wendouree, Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) Malbec (50%)

2007 Penfolds Bin 707, South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Yarra Yering Carrodous, Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot


Wine Alcohol pH Acid gpl Sugar gpl

2008 Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve, Coonawarra 14.0 3.5 7.38 4.4

2006 Zema Estate Saluti, Coonawarra 15.0 3.49 6.98 0.7

2004 Wynns John Riddoch Coonawarra Estate 13.5 3.53 6.9 0.7

2005 Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains (California) 13.4 3.55 6.5 0.55

2008 Moss Wood Amy's, Margaret River 13.6 3.7 6.4 0.9

2007 Cullen Diana Madeline, Margaret River 14.0 3.78 5.27 0.66

2007 Vasse Felix Heytesbury, Margaret River 14.9 3.43 6.9 0.62

2004 Hardy Wine Co. Thomas Hardy, Margaret River 14.3 3.45 6.17 2.1

Tasting Analysis


Wine Alcohol pH Acid gpl Sugar gpl

2005 Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac (Bordeaux) n/a n/a n/a n/a

2004 Wirra Wirra Angelus, McLaren Vale 14.7 3.39 7.26 2.1

2007 Henschke Cyril Henschke, Eden Valley 14.0 3.57 6.6 0.6

2006 Lake Breeze Arthur's Reserve, Langhorne Creek 14.5 3.43 7.0 1.6

2006 Wendouree, Clare Valley 13.7 3.33 8.0 n/a

2007 Penfolds Bin 707, South Australia 14.4 3.55 6.9 0.3

2007 Yarra Yering Carrodous, Yarra Valley 12.2 3.55 0.78 0.27

Tasting Analysis

Documents

Masterclass: Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends, presented by Brian Croser