READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Cabernet Sauvignon: Interpreting ripening and blend ratios
Read Medoc and Napa, comparing ripening periods and viticultural conditions. From Château Margaux vintage documents, consider planting, harvest, sorting, and blending separately.
Questions for this course
If the proportion of Cabernet in the bottle increases, does that mean the vineyard was also replanted?
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To explanation task notes ↓Cabernet Sauvignon / Learn from grape varieties
Update date: 2026-09-23
Varieties waiting to ripen and their cultivation regions
Cabernet Sauvignon generally ripens later than Merlot. In Bordeaux, it is widely grown on the gravelly left bank, but the variety name alone does not determine maturity in a given year. Autumn weather and parcel-specific conditions also influence the harvest decision.
The denominator for 87% and 92%
Château Margaux’s grand vin is blended from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon in 2021 and 92% in 2022. These are blend ratios for the finished wine, not the share of vineyard plantings. Even under the same label, composition changes each year depending on the base wines and selections. The increase in ratio alone does not mean there was replanting or a change in quality.
Different conditions within Napa
In Napa, the climate for cultivating Cabernet is influenced by cooling air and fog from the sea, elevation, and differences in soil. When comparing Médoc and Napa, it's more specific to check whether a site is on the valley floor or a slope and which vintage, rather than assume a uniform style based solely on country. It's also necessary to clarify blend ratios and winemaking methods.
What to align and what to compare.
Compare the stages of ripeness.
- Conditions to standardize
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Conditions for comparison.
- Vineyard, autumn weather, and harvest timing
- Additional points to confirm
- Late ripeness and immaturity are separate pieces of information.
Compare the ratios.
- Conditions to standardize
- The same label
- Conditions for comparison.
- Final blend for each year.
- Additional points to confirm
- Distinguish from area ratio
Compare regions.
- Conditions to standardize
- Red wines made from the same grape variety
- Conditions for comparison.
- Medoc and Napa environments
- Additional points to confirm
- Check up through parcel, vintage, and vinification
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
0 / 4 articles completed
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- 1↗
France
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Distinguish between ripening time and grape material composition.
- 2↗
France
Château Margaux
Read documents on blending and selection by vintage.
- 3↗
United States
Napa Valley: From valley floor to mountain vineyards
Compare the influence of cool air on valleys and slopes.
- 4↗
Chile
Maipo: Cabernet and foothill vineyards
Consider the growing conditions of the east side of the Andes versus the plains.
READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Cabernet Sauvignon reference interpretation: Reading maturation and blend ratios
Read the meaning behind these ratios using the summary table of official data from Château Margaux.
Summary table of official vintage data for the final blends of Château Margaux’s grand vin. Each figure is summarized from official information for the respective vintage.
This table does not include the ratios by area planted or tasting results under identical conditions.
| Grapes | 2021 | Year 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 87% | 92% |
| Merlot | 8% | 6% |
| Cabernet Franc | 3% | 2% |
| Petit Verdot | 2% | No blend |
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Read the explanation for each question
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How many points did the proportion of Cabernet change?
92 minus 87 equals 5 points. This indicates the difference in the ratio of the finished wine, not changes in vineyard area.
Is it evidence of replanting?
Area ratio and the post-harvest blending use different denominators. Additional vineyard data is required.
Can you conclude that the 92% one is higher quality?
Grape source and winemaking vary by year. Blend numbers alone don't show taste or quality rankings.
Practice exercises in comparison
Read the meaning behind these ratios using the summary table of official data from Château Margaux.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Planting ratio of the vineyard | blend proportion in the finished product |
|---|---|---|
| Denominator | Vineyard area | composition of the finished product |
| Judgement made in between | Sorting by yield, harvest, plot | Combination of selected base wines |
| What cannot be inferred from the numbers | Annual blending. | Vineyard replanting and quality ranking |
This is an organized study tool based on the designated articles for this course. You can check specific facts and sources in each article.
Explain in your own words
Explain the difference in Cabernet proportions between 2021 and 2022, and list two things that cannot be determined from those numbers alone.
Check after writing
- Did you indicate the denominator and the target year for the numbers?
- Did they separate planting year and final blend?
- Are you substituting an increase for a ranking in quality?
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