
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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Shafer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
- CG
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Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- CG
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
- WS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Pine Ridge Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- W&S
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Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Quintessa 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
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Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- WE
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- WE
- WS
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Sbragia Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Vine Cliff Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from California
- WE
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Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- W&S
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Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Whitehall Lane Leonardini Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5-liter bottle) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Hall Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS