
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.
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Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Lail J. Daniel Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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Ramey Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Hall Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
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Robert Foley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Alejandro Bulgheroni Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Chappellet Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Chappellet Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter) 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Schrader Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
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TOR Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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TOR Black Magic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Aurum Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
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