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Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2014: The results
An impressive lineup of judges convened for the Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters to put 200 wines through their paces in June.
Having recently cemented its title as king of the grapes with the news that it has overtaken Spanish white variety Airén as the world’s most widely planted grape, no serious wine competition would be complete that didn’t put Cabernet Sauvignon under the microscope. According to a recent study form the University of Adelaide, since 1990, Cabernet Sauvignon has more than doubled its share of hectares under vine, though many may argue its heartland remains on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, where some of the world’s most highly prized wines are crafted from the grape, which is used to form the backbone of Bordeaux blends. However, this thick-skinned variety can thrive in an array of terroirs around the world, and can be found flourishing everywhere from Coonawarra and Margaret River in Australia to the Napa Valley in California and Chile’s Maipo Valley.
The 17th century lovechild of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon is appreciated by grape growers for its naturally low-yielding, late-ripening nature and ability to add structure, colour and power to blends. In addition, the grape’s naturally high acidity and tannic structure mean wines made from Cabernet can be built to last. Given that it is planted in a plethora of pockets around the world, there is no cookie-cutter signature style for Cabernet, though many boast notes of blackcurrant, mint, eucalyptus, bell pepper and cedar, with cherry and olive notes present in cooler-climate Cabernets, and warmer Cabs often veering towards the jammier end of the flavour spectrum.
Building on from the success of both the Chardonnay Masters and the Pinot Noir Masters, around 200 wines from nine countries were submitted to our inaugural Cabernet Sauvignon Masters, with judging taking place on 8 May at Elysée restaurant in central London. Served blind and assessed without prejudice about their country of origin, the wines were arranged according to their price band as well as style, from low price to high, and unoaked to oaked, in order to make the competition as fair as possible. Judged by a stellar panel of Masters of Wine, including Sebastian Payne MW of The Wine Society, Demetri Walters MW of Berry Bros & Rudd and Justin Knock MW of Encirc, the wines were scored out of 100, with those gaining more than 95 points being awarded the top title of Master. Those earning more than 90 points were given a gold, those more than 85 points a silver, and those more than 80 points a bronze.
New order
The majority of entries for our Cabernet Sauvignon Masters came from the New World, with just one wine from Bordeaux taking part in the competition. While two-thirds of the wines were single-varietal Cabernet, the remainder were blends crafted from at least 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. During the tasting, the judges looked for balance, fine tannic structure, a bright fruit profile and a complex character, as well as a long finish.
So how did the wines fare? Of the 200 wines that entered, 141 were medal-winners, with 83 walking away with a bronze, 41 awarded silver, 14 impressing enough for a gold and just three scooping the top accolade of a Master medal. “Cabernet is one of the great grapes of the world and you can see why it’s planted everywhere as it delivers on many different levels. We haven’t had too many howlers, thankfully,” quipped Payne. “Caberent Sauvignon proved that it is able to deliver value for money. Producers across the world are stepping up their game and the hit rate in the competition was very good,” added Hugo Rose MW of the Wine Investment Association.
(L-R): Patrick Schmitt, editor of the drinks business, Hugo Rose MW of the Wine Investment Association, Vanessa Cinti of Cut at 45 Park Lane, Sebastian Payne MW of The Wine Society, Rebecca Palmer of Corney & Barrow, Mark Savage MW of Savage Selection, Lucy Shaw, deputy editor of the drinks business, Justin Knock MW of Encirc and Demetri Walters MW of Berry Bros & Rudd.
In terms of individual countries, judges praised Chile for its ability to deliver reliable and consistently high-quality Cabernet at an affordable price point. “You can find fantastic value in Chile, which has a lot to recommend it,” said Payne. “The consistency of the Chilean Cabs was a big surprise for me – the wines offered dark fruit and a creamy texture,” commented Vanessa Cinti, head sommelier of Wolfgang Puck’s debut London restaurant Cut at 45 Park Lane.
While the US put in a consistent performance, it was Australia, and most notably Coonawarra, that got our judges’ pulses racing, with the inherent elegance of the wines from the Southern Australian region setting them apart. Australia also led the way in the gold medal tally, scooping five golds and a Master for Katnook Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. “Both Australia and Argentina are doing a very good job with Cabernet Sauvignon and are offering decent-quality examples for under £10. You can see the evolution the countries have undergone in recent years. The Australian wines were lovely and fresh with herbal and menthol notes,” said Cinti.
Hot on Australia’s heels was Chile, which won four golds, followed by Argentina, which scooped two golds and a Master for Pascual Toso Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, with Spain picking up the third and final Master for Torres’ Mas La Plana 2010, which has been made from a 29-hectare vineyard in the northern Spanish region of Penedès since 1970. South Africa delivered a solid performance, earning two gold and three silver medals, while, somewhat surprisingly given its strong links to Cabernet, the US picked up only one gold medal for Jackson Family Wines Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010.
Question of style
A debate arose around oak, with a number of judges lamenting the inability on the part of many producers to handle it properly. “While Cabernet has a natural affinity for oak, a lot of the wines were smothered and it wasn’t used judiciously, meaning the oak owned the wine rather than the other way around,” commented Berry Bros & Rudd’s Walters. Payne of The Wine Society concurred. “At the end of the day, you want to be able to drink the whole bottle, not just one glass, and some of the wines messed around with the oak a little too much and the alcohol levels were too high, but there is a market for those styles of wine,” he said.
As to whether Cabernet performs better in a blend or as a solo act, the judges were unanimous on the former. “I’m not certain that Cabernet Sauvignon delivers varietal character under £10. What you tend to get is a lot of structure without the fruit balance. A few of the under-£10 wines worked, but the tannin often smothered the fruit. The blends were more rounded and balanced with better palate weight and structure than the single varietals,” said Walters, to which Payne added: “As a single varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon rarely hits the high spots – it works better in blends. As a grape it does fantastically commercially and is hugely successful; the trick is to keep the freshness locked in.” Cinti, meanwhile, was more forgiving of the single varietals. “Some of them worked well – I think there is a space for them in the market. When made well, Cabernet can more than hold its own as a single-varietal wine,” she said.
Medal winners: Blends
Unoaked blends under £10 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Viña Canepa | Novisimo Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Oaked blends under £10 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Constellation Brands Canada | Clos du Bois North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Silver |
Viña Maipo | Vitral Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Concha y Toro | Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards | Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Constellation Brands Canada | The Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Viña Canepa | Finisimo Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
De Bortoli wines | DB Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Bronze |
Oaked blends £10-£20 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Santa Rita Estates | Santa Rita Medalla Real | 2010 | Chile | Gold |
Chamlija Wines | Chamlija Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Turkey | Bronze |
Bisquertt | Ecos de Rulo, Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Viña Cobos | Felino Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Banfi | Aska, Bolgheri Rosso DOC | 2012 | Italy | Bronze |
Concha y Toro | Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Jackson Family Wines | Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Viña Maipo | Gran Devoción Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Constellation Brands Canada | Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Oaked blends £20-£30 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Bodegas La Rosa | Cientoquince CXV | 2011 | Argentina | Gold |
MontGras Properties | Montgras Ninquén | 2010 | Chile | Silver |
Thompson Estate | Thompson Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Silver |
Castello di Amorosa | Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Silver |
Jackson Family Wines | Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Silver |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Thompson Estate | Thompson Estate Andrea | 2010 | Australia | Bronze |
Treasury Wine Estates | Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Bronze |
Oaked blends £30+ | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Voyager Estate | Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot | 2009 | Australia | Gold |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Silver |
Viña Canepa | Magnifcvm | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Errázuriz | Don Maximiano | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Jackson Family Wines | Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Silver |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Col Solare | 2010 | USA | Silver |
Constellation Brands Canada | Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | 2008 | USA | Silver |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Well Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Cono Sur | 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Château Ste Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Jackson Family Wines | Atalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Viña Maipo | Protegido | 2010 | Chile | Bronze |
Errázuriz | Don Maximiano | 2008 | Chile | Bronze |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Bronze |
Jackson Family Wines | La Jota Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Bronze |
Cobblestone Vineyards | Cobblestone Vineyards Reserve Atlas Peak, Napa Valley | 2009 | USA | Bronze |
Medal winners: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (under £10)
Unoaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon under £10 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Rock N Roll Wines AB | Kiss Monster Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Bronze |
Blends Wine Estates UK | Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon under £10 |
||||
Bodegas La Rosa | Finca La Escondida Reserve | 2013 | Argentina | Gold |
Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Australia | Gold |
Vina Terranoble | Terranoble Reserva Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Gold |
MP Wines | Killka Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Argentina | Silver |
Blaxland Wine Group | Barton Steer Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Australia | Silver |
Viña Mistamar | Vistamar Sepia Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Barton & Guestier | B&G Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | France | Bronze |
MontGras Properties | MontGras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Chile | Bronze |
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards | Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Chile | Bronze |
Trinchero Family Estates | Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
RPB | El Supremo Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Bodegas Pascual Toso | Pascual Toso Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Argentina | Bronze |
Doolhof Wine Estate | Signature Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | South Africa | Bronze |
Rietvallei Wine Estate | Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | South Africa | Bronze |
Medal winners: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (£10-£20)
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Katnook Coonawarra | Katnook Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Master |
Bodegas Pascual Toso | Pascual Toso Selected/Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | Argentina | Master |
Spier Wines | Savanha Naledi Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | S. Africa | Gold |
Viña Terramater | Terramater Altum Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Chile | Gold |
Bodegas Pascual Toso | Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Argentina | Silver |
KWV | KWV The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | S. Africa | Silver |
Hedges Family Estate | House of Independent Producers, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley | 2012 | USA | Silver |
Angove Family Winemakers | Vineyard Select Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Australia | Silver |
Viña Siegel | Single Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley | 2012 | Chile | Silver |
Viña Valdivieso | Valdivieso Single Valley Lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel | 2012 | Chile | Silver |
McManis FV | McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Silver |
Pernod Ricard | Jacob’s Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra | 2012 | Australia | Silver |
Carolina Wine Brands | Casablanca Nimbus Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Carolina Wine Brands | Casablanca Nimbus Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Viña Morandé | Morandé Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Santa Rita Estates | Nativa Gran Reserva 2011 | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Miguel Torres Chile | Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Silver |
Finca Monteflores | Finca Monteflores Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Argentina | Silver |
Viña Terramater | Terramater Limited Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Chile | Silver |
Namaqua Wines | Spencer Bay Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | S. Africa | Silver |
Viña Los Boldos | Momentos Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Chile | Bronze |
Viña Los Boldos | Chateau Los Boldos, Cuvée Tradition, Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | Chile | Bronze |
FirstCape Vineyards | First Cape Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | S. Africa | Bronze |
Santa Rita Estates | Doña Paula Estate | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Australia | Bronze |
Viña Pérez Cruz | Perez Cruz Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
MP Wines | Salentein Primus Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
El Esteco | Serie Finca Notables Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Trinchero Family Estates | Menage a Trois Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Wakefield/Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Australia | Bronze |
Trinchero Family Estates | Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Woodstock Wine Estate | Woodstock Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Australia | Bronze |
El Esteco | El Esteco Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Trinchero Family Estates | Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
Spier Wines | Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | S. Africa | Bronze |
Bodega Norton | Norton Winemaker Selection Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Argentina | Bronze |
Trinchero Family Estates | Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Carolina Wine Brands | Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Viña Pérez Cruz | Pircas de Liguai Cabernet Sauvignon Single Collection | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
La Motte Wine Estate | La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | S. Africa | Bronze |
Viña Valdivieso | Valdivieso Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Diemersfontein | Woolworths Founder’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | S. Africa | Bronze |
Casarena | Casarena Bodega y Viñedos | 2011 | Argentina | Bronze |
Viña Terranoble | Terranoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Bronze |
Domingo Hermanos | Finca De Domingo Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Argentina | Bronze |
Langmeil Winery | Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Bronze |
Cederberg | Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | S.Africa | Bronze |
Domaine Denois | Cabernet Sauvignon La Bourdette | 2010 | France | Bronze |
Casa Altamira | SonVida Cabernet Sauvignon | 2008 | Argentina | Bronze |
Medal winners: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (£20-£30)
Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon £20-£30 | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Cono Sur | Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Chile | Gold |
Cederberg | Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | South Africa | Gold |
Bird in Hand | Bird in Hand Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Gold |
Treasury Wine Estates | Wynns “Black Label” Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon | 2008 | Australia | Gold |
Peirano Estate Vineyards | Peirano Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | USA | Silver |
Bodegas Pascual Toso | Pascual Toso Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Silver |
Villa Saletta | Villa Saletta Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Italy | Silver |
Le Riche Wines | Le Riche Reserve | 2010 | South Africa | Silver |
Trinchero Family Estates | Trinchero Napa Valley Mario’s Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Silver |
Pernod Ricard | St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Silver |
Bird in Hand | Bird in Hand Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Australia | Bronze |
El Porvenir de Cafayate | Laborum Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Argentina | Bronze |
Ernie Els Wines | Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | South Africa | Bronze |
Viña Cobos | Bramare Lujan de Cuyo Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | Argentina | Bronze |
Miguel Torres Chile | Manso de Velasco | 2010 | Chile | Bronze |
Gatt Wines | Gatt Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | Australia | Bronze |
Gatt Wines | Gatt High Eden Cabernet Sauvignon | 2008 | Australia | Bronze |
Medal winners: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (£30+)
Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon £30+ | ||||
Company | Wine | Vintage | Country | Medal |
Miguel Torres | Mas la Plana | 2010 | Spain | Master |
Jackson Family Wines | Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Gold |
Treasury Wine Estates | Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Gold |
Santa Rita Estates | Santa Rita Casa Real | 2010 | Chile | Silver |
Wakefield/Taylors Wines | St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Silver |
Bird in Hand | Nest Egg Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Silver |
Wirra Wirra | Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | Australia | Silver |
Viña Los Boldos | Chateau Los Boldos, Vieilles Vignes, Cabernet Sauvignon | 2012 | Chile | Bronze |
Hedges Family Estate | Red Mountain, La Haute Cuvée | 2012 | USA | Bronze |
South Coast Winery | South Coast Winery Cabernet Sauvignon | 2011 | USA | Bronze |
Wakefield/Taylors Wines | The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | Australia | Bronze |
Katnook Estate | Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | Australia | Bronze |
Ste Michelle Wine Estates | Conn Creek Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2010 | USA | Bronze |
Santa Rita Estates | Carmen Gold Reserva | 2010 | Chile | Bronze |
Bird in Hand | Nest Egg Cabernet Sauvignon | 2009 | Australia | Bronze |
Cobblestone Vineyards | Cobblestone Vineyards Reserve Atlas Peak, Napa Valley | 2007 | USA | Bronze |
After I read this article (well, half way through it really) I jumped onto Glengarry web site and ordered the Aussie wine that got a masters medal… not bad… 120 bucks for 6 bottles… they never had listings for the other 2…. hears hoping the judges were spot on! 😉
What so many forget, novice and expert alike, is balance. Too much fruit? Too much alcohol? Too much acidity? This article focuses on regions rather than seasons, rather than product.
Great winemakers make good wines in bad years. Decent winemakers make palatable wines every year. Bad winemakers produce bulk.
I once told a guest, who ask me to recommend a wine, “Well, sir, I can give you a wine you’ll tell you friends about for a month, or I can pour you a wine you’ll be describing to your grandchildren sip by sip forty years from now as if you still tasting and enjoying the same fruit.
His answer, “Bring it.”
The wine I gave him was a magnum of Shafer Hillside ’85 cabernet. It was 15 years from the making at that time. As always, I took the first taste-candy.
Ridge Jimsomare 1980 another mind-boggler.
But, recently, for you cab lovers, may I recommend almost anything by winemaker Peter Sisseck. From the tempranillo/cabernet/grenache he has created the Flor de Pingus and the Hacienda de Monisterio which are extraordinary wines.
You used to be able to buy them for a song and a dance, but today, to enjoy them at someone else’s expense, it may require a sleepover.
My name is Stephen DeMoulin. I often taste wines of all varietals. I am a member of the Vintners Club of San Francisco for many years now. Vintnersclub.org. We do blind tastings and are a teaching organization right here in the S.F. Bay Area. I have tasted many cabernets over the years. There are 2 ways to taste wines. The 1st way is to consider the taste and characters RIGHT NOW. The 2nd way is to consider the taste and characters that you believe will come with age. Many wines taste good and have a nice appeal right out of the blocks. In blind tastings they do great. Others are held back because of astringency and higher acids and tannin. The fruit is secondary. However, In 10-20 years these wines show up very well….as long as the fruit was there to begin with (very important). It’s the secondary characteristics which come from the soil in terms of the minerals and the earthiness that set wines apart. Fragrance of the wine is 50%. People like to smell roses and violets in most red wines. Higher alcohol wines almost always deliver aromatics…but not specifically those types of smells. But high alcohol wines might go out of balance if the other components are not in place. So……long lived wines are what “collectors” want. These wines are expensive. A long lived cabernet must have taste components and fragrance components…and they must have the potential to come together at the right time. And, when it happens, then you will never forget that moment in time. That same wine should develop a silkiness and richness which a young wine will not have. So it comes back to how you score wines…..for the moment or… for the future based upon your expertise. The latter is always a challenge.