When it comes to the world’s grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon is (to quote an old saying) the elephant in the room of wineries. Few other red grape varieties are as well-known or as widely known. In fact, Cabernet Sauvignon is so famous that just saying the one syllable, “Cab,” is enough to get your point across.
Its fame speaks for itself: in Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Washington State, and more, Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone of the world’s most well-known and exciting wines. Red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon are among the most age-worthy on the market—the best ones can age for decades.
Moreover, Cabernet Sauvignon comes at different prices around the world. Here’s everything you need to know to find a great bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for any occasion.
What is Cabernet Sauvignon Wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon is the name of a grape variety that has left an indelible mark on wines around the world. Uniquely so, it’s the varietal label for wines from Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Argentina, Italy, Chile, Israel, Australia, and more. Name a major wine-producing country or region, and chances are producers there are growing and bottling Cabernet Sauvignon.
It also makes for an excellent blending wine: in Bordeaux, for example, Cabernet is key to Left Bank blends and plays a major role in wines from iconic properties like Chateau Margaux and Chateau Latour. Yet despite its fame, Cabernet Sauvignon also makes for more affordable wines: Excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-based blends can be had for under $20. Cabernet Sauvignon’s versatility is astounding.
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Made From?
Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in a wide range of countries and wine regions. Fortunately, Cabernet Sauvignon is also well-suited to a wide range of microclimates and terroirs, meaning growers and producers around the world have successfully grown it. Of course, there are a few Cabernet Sauvignon-producing regions that are very well-known, two of the most famous being Napa Valley and Bordeaux.
In Napa, producers take advantage of the warmth and abundant sunshine to create powerful, rich, fruit-ripened, deep Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Many of the top California Cabernet wines are varietally labeled, meaning only Cabernet will appear on the bottle (although in many cases a small percentage of other grape varieties can be blended, up to 25%). Many of Napa’s most admired wines, such as Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle, and others, are made with Cabernet as the base. For some consumers, names such as Silver Oak, Chemours, and Alpha Omega are inseparable from their primary grape varieties.
Bordeaux Approves Six New Grape Varieties to Tackle Climate Change
In Bordeaux, especially on the Left Bank, Cabernet is often used as the main component of blends, often paired with a combination of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and others are Cabernet-based. In general, Bordeaux’s Cabernet-based blends tend to be less ripe and intense than their Napa Valley counterparts, with more cedar, graphite, and occasional herbal aromas due to the cooler, more maritime climate.
In other countries around the world, producers take advantage of their unique growing conditions to create Cabernet-based wines that reflect the unique character of their region of origin.
Why Drink Cabernet Sauvignon Wine?
It’s nearly impossible to avoid tasting Cabernet Sauvignon, especially given its popularity among grape growers, winemakers, retailers, and sommeliers. It’s important to realize, though, that Cabernet Sauvignon expresses itself in unique ways depending on where it’s grown. Cabernet Sauvignon can have a variety of flavors, ranging from ripe and powerful to more herbal and savory, depending on which one you taste.
Still, Cabernet Sauvignon has its own unique characteristics, many of which are responsible for the grape’s popularity. Overall, Cabernet Sauvignon is a great food pairing for the table. Its higher tannin content and ability to take on oak make it a perfect match for meat; from grilled steak and lamb chops to roast duck, delicious stir-fries, and more, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with many main dishes.
Best Wine Pairings for Grilled Steak
Salmon, especially when spiced or in a tangy sauce, proves that red wine and fish can be a perfect pairing for a meal. It also pairs well with many cheeses, especially hard cow’s milk cheeses, and even with chocolate dishes – just be sure to avoid overly sweet chocolate, which can make the tannins in Cabernet taste bitter.
Due to the high tannin content, it is often necessary to ensure that a bottle or glass of Cabernet wine receives enough oxygen, which will help it release oxygen and more fully reach its potential. To do this, consider decanting a bottle of Cabernet wine – most people tend to only decant the oldest or most expensive reds, but even moderately priced Cabernet wines may benefit from a period of decanting in a decanter – or pouring it into a large wine glass and shaking it vigorously.
Of course, collectors flock to the world’s top Cabernet wines. Many of them represent not only part of a collection, but also an investment. Marquis-level Cabernet Sauvignons such as Don Melchor, Jordan, Scarecrow and any wine from the Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard often feature prominently in wine cellars and restaurant wine lists. While many Cabernet wines are designed to be enjoyed in the short term (the increasingly popular wines aged in bourbon barrels are a great example), others are designed to age for decades. There’s nothing Cabernet can’t do, it seems.
What does Cabernet taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon tends to have aromas of raisins, cherries, and blackberry liqueurs, and, if aged in new oak, vanilla and chocolate aromas and flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon also often has notes of cedar, pencil lead, minerals, and sweet spices, and, if grown in cooler climates, more vegetal notes like bell pepper, sage, or chamomile.
Cabernet Sauvignon has stronger tannins than Merlot and more texture and weight than Pinot Noir. It also accumulates enough sugars during the growing season to push alcohol levels up to 15% or more, especially in sunny regions and hot years, though many Cabernets are lower in alcohol. Given these characteristics, Cabernet Sauvignon is best enjoyed in a large wine glass at just below room temperature. Like most full-flavored red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon can taste cooked or stewed if served too warm.
5 Great Cabernet Sauvignon Wines
There are countless great Cabernet Sauvignon wines on the market today. The following five producers, listed in alphabetical order, are the best place to start exploring Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Cade Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
One of Napa Valley’s most prestigious producers, Cade has produced batch after batch of outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. Made from fruit grown in four vineyards on Napa’s historic Howell Mountain, this wine is aged in French oak barrels for 19 months before bottling.
Chateau Margaux
Listed as one of the four First Growths in the 1855 classification (there are now five First Growths; Chateau Mouton was promoted in 1973). Chateau Margaux produces Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wines that are elegant, complex, spicy, and age well.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Ste. Michelle produces a variety of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-based blends. Overall, the wines are reasonably priced and well-priced, and are a perfect example of why Washington state is so passionate about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Originated from Chile’s Aconcagua Valley, the country’s main Cabernet-producing region, Errazuriz Max Reserva proves that age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t have to be expensive.
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia is home to a wealth of Cabernet-based wines, ranging in price from $10 to several hundred dollars. Yalumba’s Y Series is affordable enough for everyday drinking, and its signature Cabernet and Syrah blend is more suitable for special occasions—there are other Cabernet-based options—but overall, Yalumba is a good choice for consumers who want to explore Australian Cabernet wines.
You Might Be Interested In:
