
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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Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- D
- WE
- WS
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Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
- CG
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Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Maybach Family Vineyards Materium 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Merus Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- CG
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
- CG
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Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Januik Winery Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- RP
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Schrader RBS To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Hall Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Januik Winery Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
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Ramey Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Robert Mondavi Oakville District Cabernet Sauvignon (torn label) 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- RP
- WS
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Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- JS
- CG
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Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Schrader T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chappellet Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- JS
- RP
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Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2006Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- CG
- JS
- W&S
- WS
- WE