As members of an exclusive group of grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are firmly and individually placed as so called ‘noble’ grape varieties. It is an honour bestowed on the most proven winegrape varieties, and most often to those that have firmly established their influence in the top wine regions of the world. France’s Bordeaux is the traditional key world region for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a relationship forged through the tireless trial and error of vignerons and winemakers for millennia. But why are they so well suited to the region and why do they make such appropriate bed fellows?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a late-ripening grape that requires a warm climate to fully develop its flavour profile. The Bordeaux region’s relatively warm summers and long growing season provide the ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon to flourish. The grape is known for its high tannin content, which gives it a firm structure and allows it to age well. In Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is typically blended with other grape varietals, such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, to balance its intense tannins with softer, fruitier flavours.
Merlot, on the other hand, is an earlier-ripening grape that thrives in cooler climates. The Bordeaux region’s maritime climate, with its mild winters and moderate summers, provides the perfect environment for Merlot to develop its fruity and soft character. The grape is known for its plump, juicy fruit flavours, which can range from black cherry to plum. In Bordeaux, Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to provide a softer, rounder mouthfeel to the wine.
It is not surprising therefore that Mudgee caters for both these varieties very well. With a continental climate at 450 metres elevation, Mudgee experiences a cooler growing season than many other Australian regions, ideal for developing the fineness and softness of Merlot. Blessed with a long growing season, late ripening grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon are given the time to develop their full and beautiful flavour potential.
