Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2003 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon presents a deep, dark violet color with reddish hues. The nose offers intense, focused aromas of ripe cassis and black currant fruit intertwined with notes of tobacco, cedar, and a touch of eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is full and concentrated with layers of rich black berry flavors and elements of frosted mint, espresso and graphite.

José Galante, Winemaker

Region Description

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.