Tier: Global Headliner
Color: Red
Origin: France, Bordeaux
Lineage: Natural cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
Areas of Prominence: While Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and produced around the world, it all starts at home in Bordeaux. Elsewhere in Europe, Cabernet Sauvignon is prominent in Tuscany (Italy) and in Castilla y León, Penedès, and Navarra in Spain. In the USA, it is dominant in California’s Napa Valley and important in Sonoma and Washington State. Cabernet Sauvignon is the top varietal in Chile and is vital in Australia’s Coonawarra and Margaret River.
Iconic Wines: The most iconic Cabernet Sauvignon wines are found around the globe, but you could create an impressive list without leaving its native Bordeaux. Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, and Château Mouton Rothschild all include a minimum (on average) of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve is just one of many old-school Cabs from Napa Valley that still turn heads today. From Tuscany, Sassicaia, Marchesi Antinori Solaia, and others from Bolgheri are nearly as famous as their Bordeaux brethren. Cabs from Moss Wood and Cullen are among the top choices from Australia, while old-school brands like Penfolds still demand attention. Viña Don Melchor and Viña Almaviva are but two of the many world-class Cabernets hailing from Chile.
Cabernet Sauvignon Attributes
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Cabernet Sauvignon Profile
This tremendous red grape is omnipresent in the world of wine, grown and produced on six continents and in countless nations. Cabernet Sauvignon is native to Bordeaux, France, where it grew as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It is the most widely grown Vitis vinifera grape in the world by some margin. Arguably, the best examples of this varietal are found in its native Bordeaux, but winemakers in Australia, California, Washington, and Tuscany can present compelling arguments for their wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon can produce wines with incredible strength and elegance when grown in the best-suited appellations and in the hands of a capable winemaker. The wines are full-bodied, with moderate to high tannins and medium acidity, and are primarily dry. The best examples can age for a decade or more.
Cabernet Sauvignon can stand on its own, but it’s a great team player. In its native Bordeaux, it’s often blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. Decades ago, Australian winemakers highlighted Cabernet Sauvignon’s long affinity with Syrah (Shiraz), and since then, much of the world has copied that pairing.
In Tuscany, Cabernet can be found in many of the region’s so-called Super Tuscans, where it frequently pairs with the local Sangiovese to create sublime wines that perfectly capture the positive attributes of both varietals.
While its fame has brought it derision, like a great song played too often on the radio, Cabernet Sauvignon’s quality and versatility cannot be questioned. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are most often full-bodied, dry, with moderate to intense tannins, dark in color, and frequently age-worthy.
Aromatics and Flavors: Black Cherry, Black Currant, Graphite, Baking Spices, and Cedar
Wine Types: Red, Rosé, and Sparkling
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