Cabernet Sauvignon

TL; DR

Sometimes called the 'King of Grapes', Cab Sav is a red powerhouse that is known for its capacity to age.

So, what is it?--red

Cabernet is a really complex grape that takes some taming. It has huge ageing potential thanks to its strong acidity and plentiful tannins. The fruit of the wine is generally balanced out by herbal 'green' flavours, which can be off-putting for some, and for others magnetizing!

When done well the powerful attributes of the wine are well balanced and in harmony with the oak ageing.

Where did it originate?--aromatic

Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape child result of a secret French love affair between the red grape Cabernet Franc and white grape Sauvignon Blanc. Well sort of.  In the 17th century, the two grapes "accidentally" bred, creating a natural crossing of the two. The result? Cabernet Sauvignon! We'll never tell Cab Sauv they were an accident though ;)

Who's famous for it?--racy

Cabernet Sauvignon is a true globetrotter. In fact it's one of the most widely planted grapes in the world! Having its home in Bordeaux certainly helped its rapid expansion, as the Bordelaise (those coming from Bordeaux) are excellent marketers of their own product!

It's most famously from France (especially in the well-draining gravelly soils of the "Left Bank") where it's bottled as a single varietal, but more often than not, with Merlot.

It's also built a particularly strong reputation in Chile, the USA, Australia, Italy and South Africa.  

In Australia, Cab Sauv is recognized by a unique menthol note, often thought to be attributed due to the local eucalyptus trees. In Italy, it's most often used in Super Tuscan blends. Meanwhile in the USA, the Napa Valley region of California has elevated Cab Sauv to "Cult bottle" status nearly parallel to Bordeaux ($$$$$), though in a much richer and fruit-forward style. South Africa also has made a name of fame for the grape, particularly in the Paarl and Setllenbosch regions.

Interesting enough, China and Spain, are not far behind in terms of hectares planted.

What does it taste like?--aromatic

Cabernet is traditionally full-bodied, loaded with plenty of dark fruit (think blueberry and blackberry) and backed up by a zing of herbal/grassy kind of flavours. It’s also known for its strong backbone of tannin – that furry, drying sensation you sometimes get with red wines. Cabernet has plenty of it! This grape also doesn't mind a bit of oak either, adding extra weight, vanilla and spicy flavours to the finished wine.

Cabernet shows rich sometimes even jammy dark fruits when from warmer regions. Whereas its inherent herbal tones will come out to play more in examples from cooler regions.

Main styles it's known for?--cellar

It's rare to see a 'light-bodied Cabernet', but some are more elegant than others. The Napa Valley in California produces the richest styles with the densest fruit flavours, and then Australia and Chile are just a step-down. Often Chilean Cabernet will have a more elevated herbal tone to them.

Bordeaux from France offers more earthy and spicy notes, with firmer tannins, and still packs a ton of power. Here it is famously blended with Merlot, though you often won't see it mentioned on the label!

What foods should you be pairing it with?--plum

Rich robust meats are classic, but there's so much more out there!

Bold and big Cabernets work with all varieties of red meat — grilled steak, roast pork etc, whilst more elegant versions are great with roasted vegetables, especially things like capsicum, spinach and eggplant. You can never go wrong with peppercorn sauce too!

Fun fact--earth

Australia is home to the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world! There are vineyards in both the Barossa Valley and Langhorne creek that date back to 1888... incredible history!

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines

Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo

About the Author & Artist

Alex is a certified sommelier that spends more time running in old-growth forests than any other somm — impulsively training her nose while at it! A talented illustrator with a unique style, her doodling works are inspired by the world of wine - and somehow, seem to improve after a glass or two.