
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 Sauvignon wine. 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 wine pairs well 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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon716
- Pinot Noir671
- Bordeaux Red Blends588
- Other Red Blends332
- Tempranillo207
- Rhône Blends172
- Syrah/Shiraz149
- Malbec145
- Sangiovese143
- Merlot128
- Zinfandel101
- Nebbiolo80
- Grenache61
- Cabernet Franc53
- Gamay38
- Tuscan Blends36
- Barbera28
- Petite Sirah25
- Carmenere20
- Other Red Wine19
- Mourvedre15
- Montepulciano13
- Carignan12
- Mencia12
- Nero d'Avola10
- Dolcetto9
- Pinotage9
- Aglianico8
- Primitivo7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bonarda4
- Corvina4
- Cinsault3
- Negroamaro3
- Tannat3
- Touriga Nacional2
- Frappato2
- Sagrantino2
- Zweigelt2
- Petit Verdot1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- St. Laurent1
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley, Chile
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Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
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Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Anakota Helena Montana Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ML half-bottle) 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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Decoy California Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Quintessa 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
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Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from California
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Vina Robles Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
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Lail J. Daniel Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Stags' Leap Winery The Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
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