Explore Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon, known as ‘the noble red,’ has a rich history as one of the most popular red wines.
Originating from Bordeaux, Cabernet is now grown in many major wine regions and is internationally regarded as the ‘king of grapes’, although it is often blended with other varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
What kind of wine is Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, fuller-bodied red wine noted for its complex structure and versatility. It is a late ripening variety that does particularly well in Bordeaux and elsewhere in warm and more temperate climates such as Margaret River in Australia.
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are dry with rich red and black fruit flavours plus firm tannins, generally with a herbal edge.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon best as a single varietal or a blend
Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile grape variety, equally respected on its own or when blended, and it is the backbone for some of the world’s most famous wine blends from Bordeaux, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Margaret River.
Australian blend
Known as the Great Australian red when blended with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon provides elegance, structure and firm tannins while Shiraz adds plush, fleshy fruits.
Red Bordeaux
Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec in Bordeaux to make some of the world’s most highly sought-after and expensive wines from famous locations such as Pauillac and St-Estephe.
What are the most famous Cabernet Sauvignon regions?
Like all grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon takes on the geographical surroundings of where it is grown, offering differences in flavours and complexity between regions.
Coonawarra
South Australia’s Coonawarra is famous for its terra rossa soil, which produces wines with concentrated flavours of dark fruits, mint and unique eucalypt notes.
Margaret River
Thanks to a maritime climate, similar to that of Bordeaux, Margaret River Cabernet often draws similarities to the French style producing subtle wines that display notes of cassis and cedar.
Cabernet Sauvignon - the love child
It wasn’t until quite recently that American scientists discovered that Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively modern grape that has come from a crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
How long can Cabernet Sauvignon age?
The acid and tannin structure make Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly equipped for ageing, with many examples developing more and more complex fruit flavours after as much as 20 years or more in the cellar.
What food pairs with Cabernet Sauvignon?
This bold and hearty wine is best paired with bold and hearty meals, particularly red meat like prime steak and peppery lamb dishes. High-quality burgers featuring fatty steak, rich cheese, such as a gouda, and crispy onions with a thick and sweet barbeque sauce pairs particularly well with Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia and the USA. For French selections, choose roast lamb, well seasoned with rosemary to pair with the dryer styles.
