
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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Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Schrader CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Schrader T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Hourglass Blueline Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Hall Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
- CG
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- TP
- WE
- WS
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Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Lewis Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
- CG
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Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Hall Ellie's Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
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Hundred Acre Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum - signed) 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- D
- WS
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Hall Bergfeld Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Brand Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (6.0L) 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS