The Cabernet Challenge

The last few decades have seen the appearance of a new breed of world-class, rich, powerful and expensive cabernets all over Spain. Some of them follow the classic Bordeaux style, others are made of innovative blends with Tempranillo, Garnacha, Syrah and even Petit Verdot, and some others let Cabernet Sauvignon go solo. Since Spain is not perceived as a source of international varieties, these wines, with just a couple of exceptions, are not well-known outside of the country. In this tasting we will evaluate the quality of these ambitious cabernets, and compare them with classic examples from Bordeaux, Tuscany, California and Australia.