Red grapeSommo grape guide

Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel

Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel wine guide: what this red grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
Red
Body
Full
Origin
USA
Top region
Napa Valley
2
Key regions
3
Pairings
2
Synonyms

Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel is a red blend rather than a single variety, and it traces back to California, USA.

Structurally it lands at full body, medium-high tannin, medium acidity, dry and high alcohol.

Look for blackcurrant, plum, raspberry, blackberry, pepper and spice.

In the cellar it meets toasted barrels.

The regions that matter for it are Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

In the vineyard it is marked by mid ripening, moderate vigour and a preference for warm.

It blends readily with Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petite Sirah.

Watch for the synonyms: Cab Merlot Zinfandel and Californian Bordeaux Blend.

At the table it suits beef pot-roast with mashed potatoes, herb-encrusted rack of lamb and eye fillet steak with mushroom sauce.

Best drunk young.

The structure.

Body
Full
Tannin
Medium-high
Acidity
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
High
Flavours
blackcurrantplumraspberryblackberrypepper
Aromas
spicecherrycaramel
Cellar
Toasted barrels
Styles
bold red

Where it grows.

Blends well with.

Food pairings.

01 beef pot-roast with mashed potatoes
02 herb-encrusted rack of lamb
03 eye fillet steak with mushroom sauce

Also labelled.

Cab Merlot Zinfandel, Californian Bordeaux Blend.

Bottles to look for.

  • Arling Blaze 'Hope Dies Last' Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, USA
  • Arling Blaze 'Sigrid in Black' Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, USA
  • Avalon Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA
  • Aviary Vineyards Red Wine, Napa Valley, USA
  • Bixby Creek Bridge Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA
  • Bogle Vineyards Rose, California, USA
  • Ca' Momi Rosso di Napa, Napa Valley, USA
  • Clif Family Winery The Climber Red, Napa Valley, USA

Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel: common questions

01.
What does Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel taste like?
+
Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel tastes of blackcurrant, plum, raspberry, blackberry, pepper and spice, plus two more. Structurally it lands at full body, medium-high tannin, medium acidity, dry and high alcohol.
02.
Where is Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel from?
+
Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel originates in California, USA.
03.
Where is Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel grown?
+
The key regions for Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel are Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
04.
What food pairs with Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel?
+
Pour it with beef pot-roast with mashed potatoes, herb-encrusted rack of lamb and eye fillet steak with mushroom sauce.
05.
What else is Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel called?
+
Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel is also labelled Cab Merlot Zinfandel and Californian Bordeaux Blend.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of USA.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Cabernet - Merlot - Zinfandel,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.