France
Moderate Maritime
Bordeaux: black cherry, liquorice, earthy, green bell pepper, chocolate, vanilla from new French oak
Right Bank softer in style than Left Bank
Italy
Moderate Mediterranean
Tuscany, Bolgheri: dark and ruby red, sweetness of fruit on palate, layers of velvety tannins, fresh acidity, long, lingering finish, powerful structure, ripe berry, spicy oak
New Zealand
Warm Maritime
Hawke’s Bay: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Australia
Moderate Mediterranean
Warm Mediterranean
Coonawarra: fairly H alcohol, structured and fine-grained tannins, cassis, mint, eucalyptus, black ripe fruit, oak notes
Margaret River: compared to Coonawarra, more like Left Bank Bordeaux and more likely to be blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, firmer tannins, fruit less stewed, fresh green pepper, French oak more often
USA
Warm Mediterranean
Napa: highly concentrated, F body, significant French or American oak
Merlot can contribute plum and milk chocolate notes, Cabernet Franc flint and herbal notes, and Petit Verdot floral notes
Chile
Warm Mediterranean
deep purple, fresh cassis, a signature smoky & herbaceous note (green bell pepper, passionfruit, blackcurrant leave), muddy
Top examples aged in French oak, adding notes of cedar, vanilla, and toast
warm climate leads to soft mouthfeel but lacks depth
Argentina
Warm Continental
blended with Malbec, best from Mendoza
1) aged in oak for a long time: meaty, leathery
2) fruity
South Africa
Climate
earthy, smoky, more herbal, French oak common
Less intense fruity compared to Australia and USA
Stellenbosch: close to Bordeaux style with plastic, roast coffee, 燒輪胎