TheBurg

38 | theburg | 02.16 For a complete list of Chairman's Selection products, visit www.FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com I n the world of wine, there are seven grapes designated as "noble," two of which are white and five red. ey are called noble because they have spread worldwide and produce not only good wine, but, in some cases, the very best that can be found. e five reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Syrah. ese grapes have formed the idea of what we expect in wine across the globe, as well as in their homelands. e number-one red grape in all temperate growing areas is Cabernet Sauvignon. e history of this great fruit starts in the 17th century in southwestern France, where an accidental cross of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley with Cabernet Franc from the Bordeaux region produced a grape that was greater than the sum of its parts. e vine is vigorous, hardy and stands up to frost, as well as some diseases. e berries are small but thick-skinned and tolerant to many different weather conditions. e grape reaches its pinnacle in the Medoc and Graves regions of France, with the wine taking on flavors of black currant, spice and cedar wood. Combined with other Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet adds depth, structure and age-worthiness to blends. In the New World, Cabernet is the darling of Napa Valley. e grape takes on its own personality in a region referred to as its "second home." Growing conditions are so benign that it can overproduce with very little flavor on the fruit side of the wine spectrum, where the quaff can taste tannic and vegetal. Cor Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills, Washington 2013 Code 20281 | Price: $29.99 " is wine was made as a throwback to the old world Bordelais style. Seeking the balance of opulence and structure, fruit and length, this is a classic wine for which Napoleon would have invaded to reclaim Washington. Luxuriously ripe and aromatic, with black cherry, allspice and chocolate, this wine also holds its freshness on the palate and throughout the finish." —Winery Notes Katarzyna Twins Cabernet Sauvignon racian Valley, Bulgaria 2013 Code 47090 | Price $15.99 "Vivid aromas of cherry and blackberry set the stage for flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a hint of citrus zest in this garnet- colored wine. Full-on fruit flavors remain on the palate well into the persistent finish." —89 Points, Wine Enthusiast, October 2015 Stark Conde Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch, South Africa 2013 Code 47205 | Price $18.99 "Features a whiff of black tea out front, followed by lightly steeped black currant and boysenberry fruit. Lovely tobacco, charcoal and licorice notes underscore the finish. Shows range and length. Solid. Drink now through 2017." —90 Points, Wine Spectator, November 2015 kinG CaBerneT All hail the wine that would rule the world. by Steve JuLIANA Keep sipping, Steve On the bright side, growers have learned to tame these tendencies, which allows one to find excellent wine the length and breadth of the valley. e sub-regions of Stag's Leap and Rutherford Bench are where Cabernet reaches its cult status. e wine usually needs aging and is very expensive, so don't look for it on the Wine Train. at said, the demand is high, and there is no dearth of wine drinkers who are more than willing to take the plunge to experience some of the greatest Cabernets in the world. If you find yourself in the position where you would like to try this kingly quaff but don't have the deep pockets that France or California require, look to other regions. Plenty of good wine is coming from Washington state these days, as well as unique bottles from the Coonawarra area of Australia with its "terra rosa" soil. South African Cab is light and elegant with its blend of balanced fruit and tannic structure. I am also a big fan of Chilean Cabernet, specifically from the region known as the Maipo Valley. ese wines have dense, dark fruit matched with dusty tannins, don't usually need a lot of aging and are very affordable. ey are, in my opinion, the ultimate match for grilled steak. Try them. In wine history, as in human history, we see the offspring of two divergent parents rise—and become the king.

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