
Cabernet Sauvignon
Learn about Cabernet Sauvignon — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe. Inherently high in tannins and acidity, the best bottlings of Cabernet can age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in temperate climates like Bordeaux where it forms the base of the Medoc reds. These blends are typically mostly Cabernet with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. (Enjoying a great deal of success in various regions around the world, this blend is now globally referred to as a Bordeaux Blend.) Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines.
Tasting Notes for Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry red wine rich in color, tannin and extract. It expresses notes of blackberry, cassis, plum, currant, spice and tobacco. In the Old World you'll often find the more earthy side of Cabernet. In warmer regions like California, Washington, Argentina, Chile and Australia, you can typically expect more upfront fruit flavors.
Perfect Food Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is right at home with rich, intense meat dishes—beef, lamb and venison, in particular—where its opulent fruit and decisive tannins make an equal match to the dense protein of the meat. With a mature Cabernet, opt for tender, slow-cooked meat dishes.
Sommelier Secrets for Cabernet Sauvignon
Despite the modern importance and ubiquity of Cabernet Sauvignon, it is actually a relatively young variety. In 1997, DNA profiling revealed the grape to be a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc which took place in 17th century southwestern France.
Related lists
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate33
- Wine Spectator11
- Wine Enthusiast10
- Connoisseurs' Guide2
- Wine & Spirits1
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
- CG
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Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Schrader RBS To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Schrader T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Nickel & Nickel Stelling Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Bond Pluribus 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L Magnum) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Larkmead Solari Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Juslyn Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Select 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Heritage School Vineyards Jake's Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
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Two Hands Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Araujo Altagracia 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (3 bottle OWC - Inaugural Vintage) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP