
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
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La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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Chappellet Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
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Accendo Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
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Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Quintessa (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
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Maybach Family Vineyards Amoenus 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Brand Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Rombauer Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Aurum Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L Magnum) 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
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