
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
- Pinot Noir111
- Cabernet Sauvignon87
- Bordeaux Red Blends75
- Sangiovese42
- Other Red Blends28
- Nebbiolo28
- Syrah/Shiraz19
- Tempranillo16
- Zinfandel16
- Rhône Blends15
- Merlot13
- Gamay6
- Malbec5
- Petite Sirah4
- Nerello Mascalese4
- Montepulciano3
- Other Red Wine3
- Tuscan Blends3
- Mencia3
- Aglianico2
- Cabernet Franc2
- Grenache2
- Nero d'Avola2
- Barbera1
- Carignan1
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Petit Verdot1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
-
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- WW
- WS
- WE
-
Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- D
-
Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- JD
- WW
- RP
-
Bella Union by Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WW
-
Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WE
- W&S
-
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WW
- WE
-
Hall Coeur Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WW
-
Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- D
- WS
-
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
- WW
-
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- JS
- RP
- WW
- JD
-
Vina Robles Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
-
Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- TP
- RP
- JS
- JD
- WS
- WE
-
Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WW
- JS
- JD
- WE
- WS
-
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- WE
- RP
- V
- CG
- W&S
-
Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- V
- RP
- WS
- JD
- WE
-
Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- TP
- WW
- WE
-
Stonestreet Rockfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County, California
- JD
- RP
- WE
-
Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- WE
- WS
- WW
-
Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WW
- JS
- WS
- RP
- JD
-
Paul Dolan Vineyards Organically Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino, California
- WE
-
La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- JD
- JS
- WS
-
Nickel & Nickel C.C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WW
- WE
- JD
-
Josh Cellars North Coast Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from North Coast, California
- WW
- WE
-
Santa Carolina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- WE
-
Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- D
- WE