Focus Grape Cabernet Sauvignon

Planted all over the world and with prices ranging from every day to total sticker-shock! These thoughts make Cabernet Sauvignon the King of Wine!

Range of Flavor
During their creation, Cabernet Sauvignon does a good job reflecting their growing conditions. Climate and weather play into the wines final “Style.” In cold climates, they are bold rich and expressive wines chock-full of red to black fruits, tobacco, cigar box. Warmer climates, create riper styles with black fruits to cherries. Finally, in a quite warm area, the fruits can become jammy.

In all, Cabernet Sauvignon is considered full-bodied, with firm tannin [The pucker sensation needed to balance the fruit notes] and enough fruit to create many age-worthy examples. Fortunately, either because of technology or traditional winemaking practices, most are ready on release!

Quick notes
A savory compound Pyrazine in high quantities takes on a green bell pepper note. But like the slightly musty nature of some Pinot Noir, in small doses and a smooth edge bringing character and depth. Typical flavors are mint, fire-roasted peppers, and olives.

Cabernet Sauvignon has parents, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc! Cabernet Franc is also related to Merlot and Carménère.

Steak Pairing Guide
Filet Mignon, pair best with a Cabernet that has less fruit. Think Sonoma or Bordeaux. 
New York strip is the most open to different styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, explore! 
Ribeye, need to bolder tannic styles because they possess the strength to cleanse the palate and share in the overall taste.
Flank steaks require fruitier wines with some grip. Think Argentina, Australia, and Chile

The cooking style changes the rules!
Char-grilling steaks create a bolder flavor. Au Poivre a peppercorn studded steak and sauce also create a more prominent character needing those big Cabernets we all love! These two cooking styles also bring out the oak used in aging the wine. Pyrazines kick in their peppery notes to bring it all together! 

So in final, Dry, old world wine styles with juicy steaks and fruitier wines with leaner cuts of steak.