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Claret

Claret Wine Details
Price: $24.00 per bottle

Description: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 22% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc & 5% Carmenère. Drink now through 2017.

Varietal Definition
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
Petit Verdot:
Petite Verdot is one of the five noble Bordeaux varietals, essentially acting as the nuts and bolts in most Bordeaux blends. With intense color and racy flavors, this wine possesses elements of pencil shavings, dark fruit presentation and a subtle complexity, which can be appreciated by even the most discerning palate.
Carmenère:
The now resurgent Carmenère grape was brought to Chile in the 1850s before it was virtually wiped out in Europe by the phylloxera epidemic in the 1880s. It has since thrived in Chile, and was mistaken for Merlot until its spicy and distinctive flavor was rediscovered and developed separately from Merlot in recent years.


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