Cabernet Sauvignon - Did you know?

An ancestor of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon captures the true meaning of dark, powerful red wine. In the right conditions, this variety gives aromatic wines which evolve well in the course of ageing with a powerful but soft tannin, giving it a reputation for a severe but distinguished character. Its fruity flavors have been described as cherry, black currant (cassis), and raspberry, whilst its acids and tannins give it structure and longevity.Cabernet Sauvignon is the main variety of the French “Grand Cru” regions of Medoc and Graves (Bordeaux, France), but is now one of the most widely planted varieties in the world. In slow ripening situations (due to high yield or cool continental climate) Cabernet Sauvignon tends to have harder and less elegant (herbaceous) tannins with capsicum aromas.Slow to ripen, it is suited to the Cowra region where the late autumn temperatures are lower, especially at night, allowing for gentle ripening and flavour development.The Rosnay Cabernet (4ha) was planted in 1999 with clone SA125 (taken from local vineyards) on lower north facing slopes. The soil is a heavier clay than the rest of the vineyards, slow draining and compacted by years of farming with chemicals, plowing and stubble burning. The vines were planted as cuttings and suffered a difficult early establishment due to the tight soil, weed competition and frost in 2001.Seven years later, the vines have developed deep roots and are drought resistant, whilst the soil is gradually becoming more friable and crumbed.