
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.
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- Other Red Wine46
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- Tuscan Blends32
- Cabernet Franc29
- Gamay29
- Malbec25
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- Pinotage11
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- Dolcetto8
- Negroamaro6
- Nero d'Avola6
- Primitivo6
- Bonarda2
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- Valdiguie2
- Gaglioppo2
- Petit Verdot1
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Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
- CG
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
- W&S
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Arrowood Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Lokoya Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Vineyard 7 and 8 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Turning Leaf Coastal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum - scuffed labels) 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Shafer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Ramey Jericho Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- CG
- WS
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David Arthur Elevation 1147 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- CG
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Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia
- WS
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Beringer Chabot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Leaping Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Shafer Sunspot Vineyard 25th Anniversary (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2001Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS