Why Are Aged Cabernets So Special?
Arguably the world's most popular, best known and most widely planted red grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon has one other quality that sets it apart from all the others: it produces wines with the greatest ability to age. But not all Cabernet is destined for the long haul. Only grapes grown in the best sites make wines that are worth the wait, and California's Napa Valley has proven itself to be one of the greatest; the best of its wines nipping at the heels of the great wines of Bordeaux, where Cabernet-based wines can live for over a century.
Time, Talent and TemperatureThese distinguished wines take more than time to turn into award winning masterpieces. They require years in a temperature controlled environment, with little sunlight, no vibrations and angled to keep the cork perfectly moist. For wines to age properly they also need the right balance of fruit, acid, alcohol and one other key ingredient, tannin; and Cabernet has it in spades. Tannin is a natural preservative found in the skins, stalks and seeds of grapes and while it tastes somewhat harsh and astringent in a young wine, it softens over time in the bottle allowing the wine to develop multiple layers of complexity without losing its vitality. The winemaker must perform this balancing act based on the quality of the vintage and the desired lifespan of the wine.
The Journey BeginsOnce in the bottle the wine begins its long journey from relatively simple fruit flavors in youth to the heady heights of complexity and elegance in maturity. Countless aroma and flavor compounds are formed and it is this evolution that lifts wine out of the realm of mere beverages and places it in a class all by itself. But evolution can't be rushed. It takes time and patience for these changes to take place and optimum storage conditions are crucial. The constant cool, dark dampness of the cellar provide the ideal environment for time to work its magic. After a decade or more in bottle, the wine emerges transformed. The harsh tannins now soft and supple; the deep purple/black color burnished to mahogany; the fresh, fruity aromas of blackcurrant now melded with those of cedar and orange peel; the once-rough texture now softened to satin. No longer the muscular youth, mature Cabernet will win your favor with finesse. As much a treat for the mind as for the mouth, it engages all the senses.
Aged Cabernets from My Wines DirectEach of the aged Cabernets My Wines Direct offers has been properly cellared, aged to perfection and released just in time for you to enjoy every drop. And when it comes time to drink them, you'll get more enjoyment out of each glass if you allow the wine to breathe, or even decant, and serve at room temperature. To learn more about serving, storing and tasting wine, visit our Wine Guide here.
A Special FindWith only 125 cases, we found a Cabernet that's been aging for 10 years and tastes great right now. We bought it all. It's a perfect way to try the distinction of the aged Cabernet (remember they need to breathe and will have sediment so it can be a little different) without spending a lot. Try the Broken Barrel 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Diamond Mountain District of Napa Valley.
Three of the BestTo find mature Napa Cabernet is rare enough, but to find it from three of the best producers, grown in the best sites (Rutherford Bench, Stag's Leap and Howell Mountain) in two of Napa's best vintages (1994 and 1995), is rarer still. Made with longevity in mind these wines have been stored at the wineries where they were made, under optimum cellaring conditions and never moved until now. Rest assured, these exceptional and distinctive wines will make any enthusiast wildly happy.
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