Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a black grape, happiest in moderate to warm climates, with high acidity, and high tannins.
Colour
Black grape
Climate
Moderate, Warm
Acidity
High
Tannin
High
Body
Medium to Full
Oak
Oak maturation is common
How it tastes
Worth knowing
- Single varietal or blended
- Simple or complex
Where it grows best
Australia
South Australia, Coonawarra
Grown on the famous terra rossa soils, this shows blackcurrant and a hallmark eucalyptus-mint lift, with firm tannins and cedar-and-smoke notes from oak ageing.
Australia
Western Australia, Margaret River
A maritime climate yields elegant, restrained Cabernet with ripe cassis and dark plum, fine-grained tannins, and gentle, well-judged oak rather than heavy extraction.
Chile
Central Valley, Colchagua Valley
Warm Colchagua produces rich, full-bodied Cabernet with concentrated blackberry, a leafy green-pepper edge and minty herbs, framed by ripe tannins and toasty oak.
Chile
Central Valley, Maipo Valley
Chile's classic Cabernet heartland, where cooling Andean air gives blackcurrant, mint and a touch of green capsicum, with structured tannins and cedary oak.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Graves
Left Bank blends led by Cabernet show blackcurrant and a distinctive smoky, gravelly minerality, with firm tannins, fresh acidity and savoury cedar from barrel ageing.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
This top Graves appellation makes age-worthy Cabernet-based reds with cassis, graphite and earthy tobacco, structured tannins and polished, complex oak.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Médoc
The benchmark home of Cabernet, blended with Merlot, giving blackcurrant, cedar and a leafy edge, with brisk acidity and firm tannins built for cellaring.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
The Haut-Médoc delivers structured, well-balanced Cabernet-dominant blends with cassis, dried herbs and cedar, firm tannins and good ageing potential.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Margaux
Margaux is prized for its perfumed, elegant style: violet-scented blackcurrant with silky, refined tannins rather than sheer power.
France
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Pauillac
Pauillac makes the most powerful, long-lived Cabernet here, with deep cassis, graphite and pencil-shaving cedar, plus dense, firm tannins demanding years to soften.
France
South of France
In the warm Mediterranean south, Cabernet ripens fully into approachable, fruit-forward reds with juicy blackberry, soft tannins and value-driven appeal.
New Zealand
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
New Zealand's warmest red region, where Cabernet ripens in Bordeaux-style blends showing cassis, red plum and herbal notes, with medium body and fine tannins.
South Africa
Western Cape, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is the Cape's premier Cabernet zone, giving ripe blackcurrant with a savoury, dusty edge and firm tannins; it also anchors many Cape Bordeaux-style blends.
USA
California, Northern California, Napa Valley
Napa's signature variety reaches lush ripeness, with opulent blackcurrant and black cherry, high alcohol, plush ripe tannins and generous vanilla-sweet new oak.
USA
California, Northern California, Napa Valley, Calistoga
Hot northern Napa around Calistoga yields bold, full-bodied Cabernet with concentrated dark fruit, high alcohol and robust tannins backed by toasty oak.
USA
California, Northern California, Napa Valley, Oakville
A celebrated valley-floor district producing richly structured Cabernet with deep cassis and cocoa, ripe firm tannins and refined, age-worthy oak.
USA
California, Northern California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Rutherford is known for its dusty, savoury tannin character framing ripe blackcurrant and chocolate, full-bodied and built to age gracefully.
USA
California, Northern California, Sonoma
Sonoma's warmer pockets, especially Alexander Valley, give plush, fruit-driven Cabernet with ripe black fruit, supple tannins and creamy oak.
Compare it with
Pinot Noir 
Zinfandel / Primitivo 
Merlot Drill Cabernet Sauvignon until it sticks
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