It is the preeminent classic red grape, known to many as cabernet sauvignon. More than any other wine, cabernet has enormous ranges of quality, structure, and of maturity. It is remarkable that a wine so often on the angular side and introverted when young, can metamorphose into a satin-like, rich, and quite complex wine after several years' of aging. Cabernets can be a little like the akward, seemingly unremarkable child who grows up to be a Fullbright Scholar and very sexy to boot.

Moreover, not all cabernet sauvignons have this ability, to be sure. Most moderately priced variations, such as those from Chile or France, are produced in a style that is intentionally modest.

Somewhat soft and easy to drink, some cabernet lack structure, depth, and the intense concentration of say, Chateau Latour from Bordeaux, Sassicaia from Italy, or Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select from California, but they can and still do possess cabernet charm.

Cabernet sauvignon's aromas and flavors are so beguilling that you may come to think of them as the cynosures of red wine: blackberry, black currant, cassis, mint, eucalyptus, cedarwood, leather, and plum. These elements are then swirled in a delightful amalgam as the wine of ages. As a matter of fact, because of the grape's unbeliveable fruit and linear structure, great cabernets need both oak and bottle aging to pull it into harmony.

Poorly produced cabernet sauvignon, like cheaply made sauvignon blanc, often taste vegetal. Much like a dank and tepid mixture of bell peppers and the water cabbage has been boiled in.

Historically, the world's most prized cabernet sauvignons come from the Medoc communes of Margaux, St. Julien, Pauillac, and St.-Estephe in Bordeaux, where the wines were and still are ranked in growths, from First Growth, the most well known, down to Fifth Growth. Moreover, world-class cabernets are now consistently being produced in California, Italy, and Australia; Washington State.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and made principally in: argentina; Australia; California; Chile; France; Hungary; Italy; New York State; New Zealand; South Africa; Texas; Virginia; and Washington State.

Discovering more about Cabernet Sauvignon, then visit Marc Mansco's site on how to choose the best Cabernet Sauvignon Wine and Imported Wines for your next entertaining event.

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