
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
-
Outpost True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (stained label) 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- WS
- CG
-
Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
-
Hall Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Hundred Acre Precious Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Hundred Acre Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Scarecrow M. Etain Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Pride Mountain Vineyards Vintner Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Cayuse Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Stonestreet Rockfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WE
- RP
-
Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
O'Shaughnessy Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- TP
- CG
-
Promontory 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
- JS
-
Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- RP
- WS
-
David Arthur Elevation 1147 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
-
Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
-
Casanova di Neri Pietradonice 2009Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP