"Est vieilli le meilleur" (aged is best). This is the name of the game with cabernet sauvignon. That's because the secret to cabernet sauvignon's prowess as a wine of choice is a meticulous aging process.

Cabernet sauvignon is a red wine varietal that hails from the wineries of the famed district of Medoc in Bordeaux, France. According to studies conducted in 1997, cabernet sauvignon is the result of interbreeding sauvignon blanc and cabernet franc.

A glass of young and fresh cabernet sauvignon is resplendent of black currants and is very tannic. As the precious liquid ages, it gets hints of cherries, blackberries, ceday, bell peppers, green olives, pimientos, green peppercorns, and ginger.

You may also recognize the parfums of cedar, eucalyptus, leather, a cigar box, oak, earth, and chocolate emanating from this blood-colored elixir. Further downing a shot of cabernet sauvignon causes you to identify more saveur of coconuts, vanilla, musk, smoke, sweet wood, toast, and mushrooms.

These flavors and fragrances get more pronounced as the cabernet sauvignon advances with age. Truly, est vieilli le meilleur.

A very versatile grape, cabernet sauvignon, adapts well to being planted in many different regions around the World. This grape makes the reference reds that other wines are compared to. Mixed with merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot in the Bordeaux regions of Medoc and Graves this grape makes the archetypal red wine. A wine that exists at a peak of refinement and allusiveness which few other wines can match.

Its life span after a good vintage can extend twenty or thirty years and beyond.

In California The cabernet sauvignons possess an enormously tannic and alcoholic wine barely tamed by its oak barrels. Their grandeur is unique and affords real aging potential where the wine takes on a chocolate softness.

For sheer drinkability cabernet sauvignon from Chile is hard to beat. The plum and mulberry fruit undertones have a purity and exuberance rarely matched from cabernet sauvignons of other countries.

Think of elegant red wines, and I assume Brunello will be part of the list--I mean, on top of the list. Made from the clone of Sangiovese grapes--Sangiovese Grosso--Brunello is velvety in texture, dark red in color, and rich in flavor; therefore, it's not quite surprising that Brunello has become the favorite of wine collectors and even dignitaries.

Looking at the History

It was in the late 19th century that Brunello came into existence, thanks to Clement Santi, the original Brunello-maker. Santi then was doing experiments with Sangiovese Grosso grapes and concocted a concentrated, aromatic, and good ageing wine variety, which would later become the Brunello wine we are so enamored with today. Since then, more Brunello producers appeared until it became so famous in Italy and other parts of the world.

The Secret of Success

Combine good climate, quality fruits, and excellent ageing process, and you'll have Brunello. This 150-year old wine is aged for about four to five years to assure quality and great flavor. And oh, by the way, Brunello is quite expensive, but the satisfaction you'll get is certainly worth the price.

If you are in the Los Angeles area (I know how large of an area that is) and know of events/tastings in L.A. that you plan on attending please let us know. I'm sure we are all going to bump into one another at some point in time so let's get started! Or, if you have a secret wine shop that is near and dear to your heart here in L.A., let us know about it.

Welcome to the Orange County, CA Area Wine Group. I'm looking for a couple of group leaders to to take over this group once we get it up and running. If you would like to organize or plan things please let me know. If you are in the area please join up. If you know of an event or tasting in the area please post it.