Finesse

Recently, while Kirsten and I were enjoying conversation and Cabernet Sauvignon with friends, the subject turned to one of my prior blogs about Meritage wines and how red blends have gained in popularity.  As we sipped our Cabernet, which we felt was still the 'King' in terms of preference by the masses, the discussion centered on the other varietals that are being introduced into Cabernet wines.   I started to pull out bottles of Cabernet to read the percentages of grape varietals being blended.  After investigating I found a bottle of 2008 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley was 100% Cabernet whereas the bottle of 2008 Silver Oak Cabernet Napa Valley was 90% Cabernet, 6% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cab Franc.  Another comparison found that 2006 Arbios Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet is 100% Cabernet whereas the 2008 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet is a blend of 77% Cabernet, 18% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.  (Keep in mind that in order to be called 'Cabernet', it must by law consist of at least 75% of Cabernet.)  Why do some wines require little or no finessing while others may need more to round out the edges?  I really believe that so much of a wines DNA is about the region, the climate and the conditions! There are several reasons one might want to blend wine,  one reason might be for the winemaker to take what he or she has been given in terms of vineyard location and the grapes themselves and make subtle instinctive adjustments to bring out the best in the wine; the other is a more calculated approach by the winemaker, measuring acidity, pH, alcohol, residual sugar, tannins and adjusting the blend to create the optimum product.    It is also important to remember that the Cabernet's I mentioned before all come from distinctive soils and micro climates that contribute to the flavor of the wine produced.  Each winemaker therefore has to

Wild Creek Ranch

make determinations as to the profile of the wine and what it's personality will be.  Our vineyard, for one, is on a southwest facing hillside and starts at  an elevation of about 1200 feet above sea level and goes up to around 1600 feet at the top of the vineyard (see photo).  This hillside growing is more extreme than the Cabernet grown on the valley floor and is distinctively different is the flavors and process.  Maybe there is a softness that is created by these growing conditions, and the Napa valley Cabernet's, which I truly enjoy, seem to be a bit more intense, which is not a bad thing but just keeping in the style of the region.  I believe that the most common reason for blending is to create a new flavor..certain wines do naturally blend well and this helps to build complexity.  Perhaps one of the best red grapes for blending is Merlot.  This wine is mostly mild, soft and sometimes without a personality of its own...this will blend well and have a calming effect on any red wine.  In any case, wine making seems to me to be a combination of science and instinct which makes exploring Cabernet Sauvignon so much fun!


Clos Du Val 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

84% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Merlot
6% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot

Simi Alexander Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal Composition:
95% Cabernet Sauvignon,
3% Malbec, 1% Merlot,
1% Petit Verdot

Medlock Ames 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation Alexander Valley

Vineyard Designation Bell Mountain Ranch



Cheers!