
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 Sauvignon wine. 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 wine pairs well 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.
-
Louis Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- JS
- RP
- WE
-
Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WW
-
Schug Heritage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
-
Notary Public Happy Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
-
Vinum Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
-
Knights Bridge Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WE
- RP
- CG
-
Acre Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- JS
-
ADAMVS Quintvs 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
-
Hestan Vineyards Meyer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
-
Kerr Cellars Curvature Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
-
Robert Foley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JD
-
Paul Hobbs Nathan Coombs Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Coombsville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
-
Tres Sabores Perspective Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- WW
-
Newton Single Vineyard Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WS
- WE
-
Hestan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
-
Hamel Nuns Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
-
Stewart Nomad Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- WS
-
Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Aurum Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JD
- WE