An offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape that originates from Bordeaux, France. Featured in various blends, Cabernet Sauvignon can be found in: Bordeaux blends, alongside Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot; Super Tuscan blends with Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc; and CMS blends which consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Full-bodied and high in tannins, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to have notes of black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spice, and hints of graphite. Enjoy alongside beef wellington, Korean BBQ, and pepper-crusted ahi tuna. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted wine grape in the world, with roughly 720,000 acres dedicated to the grape. Unsurprisingly, France produces the most Cabernet Sauvignon with about 124,000 acres devoted to the grape. French Cabernet tends to be savory and age-worthy, while showcasing notes of black currant, anise, tobacco leaf, and plum sauce. With 100,000 acres, Chile offers some exceptional quality Cabernets with notes of blackberry, fig paste, baking spice, and green peppercorn. Meanwhile, the United States has 95,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, with California producing the most amount of it. These wines display notes of black currant, blackberry, graphite, and mint. 

Ready to exercise your taste buds? Here are some wines to try:

Argentina

Bodega Lagarde Altas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Australia

Kaesler Deep Roots Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Chile

Sutil Cucao Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Italy

Tenuta di Ceppaiano Keith Haring Toscana Rosso 2017

Buccia Nera Pa’Ro Toscana Rosso 2019

Donne Fittipaldi Bolgheri Rosso 2020

France

Chateau Laubespin Le Moulin Medoc 2018

Chateau Segonzac Cotes de Blaye VV 2018

Chateau Pierrousselle Bordeaux 2018

Portugal

Fiuza Oceanus Red 2019

Spain

Gratavinum Silvestris Priorat 2020

Pago del Vicario 1500 H Coupage 2010

United States

California

Frias Family Vineyard Lady of the Dead Red 2019

Pied a Terre Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Stephen Ross Cellars Flying Cloud Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

New York

RGNY Scielo NY Tinto 2019

Washington

Ex-Libris Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 

Grape Photo Credit: Missvain