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It is at once the nation’s heritage grape—a survivor of the Gold Rush era—and its most misunderstood varietal. For decades, the market was dominated by monolithic, high-octane bottlings, often jammy and over-extracted, designed to appeal to a palate that equated
However, with countless bottles lining the shelves—from mass-produced blends to single-vineyard treasures—knowing how to identify a truly good Cabernet Sauvignon can be a daunting task. This guide will walk you through the essential criteria: appearance, aroma, palate, structure, and provenance.
