Wine Tasting Notes Along the heavily graveled benchlands in the warmer northern end of the valley grows Cabernet Sauvignon that is remarkably supple, with rich fruit flavors blackberry, dried herbs, olive, bay leaf - and a lush, round tannin structure. Cabernets from this region can often be bottled 100%, without blending in other varietals such as Merlot to tame overly aggressive tannins.