Chile is a world class producer of Cabernet Sauvignon.  In the right valleys the free draining soils, long summers and cool nights are perfect for this variety to express itself at it's maximum.  Testament to this is the fact that Wine Spectator Magazine rated one of Chile's best Cabernet Sauvignon's as the 4th Best Wine in the World - Twice (2005 & 2006)!  Concha y Toro's Don Melchor 2001 and 2003 were considered better than over 10,000 other wines tasted during theses two years, getting ever so close to being chosen as the Best Wine in the World.  To add the cherry on the top, in 2006 Concha y Toro's great value Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 was chosen as Decanter Magazine's Best Value Cabernet Sauvignon in the World.

Cabernet Sauvignon makes the most dependable candidate for aging, more often improving into a truly great wine than any other single varietal. With age, its distinctive black currant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets, leather, or cigar box and its typically tannic edge may soften and smooth considerably.

It is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in the Medoc district of France's Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California.

Long thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet sauvignon berries are small, spherical 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 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.

The best growing sites for producing quality wines from Cabernet Sauvignon are in moderately warm, semi-arid regions providing a long growing season, on well-drained, not-too-fertile soils.

Typically, Cabernet Sauvignon wines smell like black currants with a degree of bell pepper or weediness, varying in intensity with climatic conditions, viticulture practices, and vinification techniques. Climates and vintages that are either too cool or too warm, rich soils, too little sun exposure, premature harvesting, and extended maceration are factors that may lead to more vegetative, less fruity character in the resulting wine.