
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 Advocate70
- Wine Spectator34
- Wine Enthusiast19
- Wine & Spirits5
- Connoisseurs' Guide1
- Decanter1
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Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (bin soiled label) 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- RP
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Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Maybach Family Vineyards Materium 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Schrader CCS Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Hundred Acre Deep Time Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Ramey Jericho Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Schrader CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Araujo Altagracia 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Signorello Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Amapola Creek Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L Magnum) 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Ramey Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Schrader Old Sparky Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum - torn label) 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Larkmead Solari Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Salvestrin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
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Keenan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP