The Family of Noble Reds

Cabernet Sauvignon: The King of Reds

• Flavours of blackcurrant, green pepper & cedar - a dark powerful wine.
• The thick-skinned berries make a very tannic wine that always needs ageing.
• The vines homeland is the Medoc/Graves region of Bordeaux, France
• Grapes are small, late ripening, and require a warm climate.
• Besides its home, this vine does well in Chile and California.
• Blended with Cabernet France & Merlot giving structure to a Bordeaux blend.

Pinot Noir: The Queen of Reds

• Flavours of cherry, raspberry, & violets with ruby red hue, a wine of elegance.
• This delicate thin-skinned grape is site sensitive - its “terroir”.
• The early ripening grapes prefer a cooler climate to develop intricate flavours.
• The vines homeland is the Cote d’Or region of Burgundy, France.
• Besides its home, this vine does well in New Zealand and parts of North America
• A key component in Champagne but rarely blended for still wines.

Syrah (Shiraz): The Royal Prince

• Flavours of black pepper & dark chocolate.
• A dense, tannic wine with a savory kick at the end!
• The vines homeland is the northern Rhone Valley of Burgundy, France.
• It’s the grape of the famous Hermitage & Cote Rotie (roasted slopes).
• Besides its home this vine does well in the Barossa Valley of South Australia.
• It produces the famous Penfold’s Grange.
• Although it’s called Shiraz in Australia, it’s the same grape as syrah in France.

Merlot: The Royal Princess

• Flavours of plums & cassis, and is very lush & velvety.
• Makes a soft rich wine void of harsh tannins, adding roundness to a Bordeaux blend.
• The thin-skinned grape is early ripening but prone to rot in heavy rains.
• The vines homeland is Bordeaux’s right bank, France.
• It produces the famous wines of Chateau Petrus.
• Besides its home this vine does well in California & Chile.