Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Learn about Cabernet Sauvignon wine, tips for food pairing, Cabernet Sauvignon history and some great recommendations.

Next to Merlot Wine, you can describe Cabernet Sauvignon as one of the most popular types of red wine in the world. This section includes:

Cabernet Sauvignon History
Cabernet Sauvignon wine first became popular in the Bordeaux region in France back in the 18th century. Its parents are Cabernet Franc and the white wine Sauvignon Blanc. The crossing of these two varietals created the Cabernet Sauvignon we know today.

Tasting Notes: Flavors, Density and More
Cabs are medium to full bodied wines. They also take a long time to age. Young cabs are usually highly tannic.

Cabernet Sauvignon wine typically has hints of fruits such as raspberries, cherries and blackberries. They are also to have hints of vanilla, black pepper and sometimes chocolate.

Wine Regions
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is easy to spot on vines due to its blue color. Most other red wine grapes are either red or purple.

California has the perfect climate to grow cabs. It's sometimes called this wine's second home due to the amount and quality grown.

Napa Valley and Alexander Valley are two of the top wine regions for Cabernet Sauvignon in California. California cabs are usually single varietal wines. This means the wine is created using close to 100% Cabernet grapes.

In Bordeaux in France, the tradition is to use Cabernet Sauvignon in a blend. The Bordeaux Blend is a very popular blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Australia also has the perfect climate for Cabernet Sauvignon. It's the second most planted grape in Australia.

Other places it's popular are New Zealand, Washington State, South Africa, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Due to their warm climate, this wine also does well in Mediterranean vineyards in Turkey, Israel and Cyprus.

Serving Tips
It's also best to let a Cabernet age for a while before drinking. This makes it less tannic and full of flavor.

The best serving temperature for Cabernet wines is around 65°.

Decanting younger, more tannic Cabs will increase your enjoyment of these wines.

Food Pairing Ideas
Cabernet wines are hearty wines and pair well with heavier foods.

Cabernet Wine Recommendations
Here are some of my favorites:

Winery: B.R. Cohn Winery located in Sonoma Valley.

Tasting Notes: Full wine, berry flavors including black cherry, also has hints of vanilla

Estimate Price: BR Cohn cabs range from $20 - $40.

Winery: Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa Valley

Tasting Notes: Cherry, plum, rose and chocolate flavors

Estimate Price: BV cabs range from $25 - $35

Winery: Hall Winery in Napa Valley

Tasting Notes: Plum, vanilla, and nutmeg flavors

Estimated Price: Hall Cabs range from $65 - $100

Winery: Fritz Underground Winery in Dry Creek Valley

Tasting Notes: Blackberry, coffee and cocoa flavors

Estimated Price: Fritz Cabs range from $28 - $35

Winery: Merryville Vineyards in Napa Valley

Tasting Notes: Hints of blackberries

Estimated Price: Merryville Cabs range from $27 - $60

Winery: Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley

Tasting Notes: Boysenberry, raspberry, red cherry with hints of black pepper and vanilla

Estimated Price: Reserve - $35

*Prices for wines are estimates and may change at any time.

In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon wine, find out more about the other popular types of red wine including:

Also, learn more about these regional red wine types:

Return to the Type of Red Wine page from the Cabernet Sauvignon Wine page