The world’s most famous red grape variety is renowned for its powerful tannins and great acidity. Also, a descendant of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc varieties, its natural intensity offers unmistakable aromas that we will decipher below.
Cassis
Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety that ripens late, which is why moderate or warmer areas, such as the Maipo Valley, are much more suitable for this variety than a cold climate. Under these conditions, one of the most identifiable and powerful aromas that Cabernet Sauvignon presents, independent of winemaking factors, is the distinguishable note of Cassis or Blackcurrant, a tiny, minty forest fruit. You can find notes to Cassis in Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon, Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon and in Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tobacco
Another aroma that is associated with this wine variety is tobacco or cigar boxes. Unlike the aromas of fruit, the tobacco notes appear when the wine is aged in new or relatively new oak barrels. These aromas come from aromatic components called terpenes, also present in the aromas of rose and sage. So, if you drink a wine with tobacco notes, this will be a positive sign of barrel or wine aging, both of which appear when the fresh fruit aromas begin to fade.
Black pepper
When the aromas of fresh fruit begin to fade, as a result of the evolution of a red wine, many times other aromas begin to appear: earthy notes, dry leaves and spices are some of them. Among spices, in most Cabernet Sauvignon it is very common to find pronounced black pepper aromas. In the case of Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, its aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, cedar and blackberry are also complemented by slight touches of black pepper.
Graphite
When we read, say or find tasting notes that talk about graphite, it actually refers to the smell of a pencil with a graphite lead. These pencils are generally covered in cedar wood, which gives it that characteristic aroma that reminds us of some wines. Well, the graphite itself has no aroma, but the pencil does. Which means that the wine was probably stored in barrels. This is the case with Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon and Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon, both with a graphite aroma and barrel aging. Now, this descriptor can also be found as a synonym for minerality in wine.
Herbal
Cabernet Sauvignons with a “herbaceous” or “herbal” character are associated with cold climates. This may be in the Old World, where there are lower temperatures, but also the New World. Everything will depend on the origin of the wine. As we explained, this is a variety that ripens late, so a cold climate will cause a greater presence of pyrazines, an aromatic component with “herbal” aroma that decreases as the grapes ripen.
