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Do you know the origin of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Learn the Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal
Although it originated in France, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most planted red wine grape varietals. It is cultivated in nearly every major wine producing country. The top performing countries for Cabernet Sauvignon include France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and the USA. For most of the 20th century, it was the planet’s most widely planted red wine grape until it was overtaken by Merlot in the 1990s. However, by the early 21st century, Cabernet Sauvignon had once again taken first place, with a total of 820,000 acres under vine worldwide.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively new varietal born from the crossing between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc during the 1600s in Southwestern France. It was the first classic varietal whose parentage was determined by means of DNA analysis, which had just become popular at the time. This happened more or less by chance when the DNA profiles of the most important varietals cultivated in California were determined and compared while creating a genetic database. This was done in 1997 by Dr. Carole Meredith and John Bowers at the University of California, Davis and revealed a parentage Cabernet Franc X Sauvignon Blanc. This is also the reason why it was often confused with Cabernet Franc, especially in the 19th century, but also with the varietal Carmenère (direct descendant of Cabernet Franc). The worldwide surprise was so great because until then it had been doubted that white varietals could be involved in the creation of red ones.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a stellar grape that often stands alone, but it also works very well in blends with other red varietals. The expression and style of Cabernet Sauvignon will be different depending on the geographic origin of the grapes, how they are cultivated, and the choices and skills of the winemaker, including the date of harvest. In Europe, most winemakers blend varietals together to harmonize flavors, acidity and tannins, creating balanced and complex wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is often a favorite, as it is a powerful presence in blends. Most famously, Cabernet Sauvignon is an important component of many wines from Bordeaux. There, it is often accompanied with the other main red Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Despite the natural full-bodied flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux wines can be beautifully complex and subtle and will age for decades. In cooler climates such as Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon will display aromas and flavors of black currant, accompanied by green bell pepper notes, mint and cedar. In milder climates, the black currant flavors are often accompanied by black cherry, blackberries and black olive notes while in warmer climates they can lean towards the over-ripe and jammy side.
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1. Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford Reserve, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon | USA
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietals: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot
Price: $85.00
ABV: 14.9%
Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) is one of Napa Valley’s oldest and most respected wineries, with a history that dates back to 1900. It was founded by French immigrant Georges de Latour and his wife, Fernande, who named the estate “Beaulieu,” which means “beautiful place” in French, after being captivated by the beauty of the Rutherford region in Napa. In 1938, Georges de Latour made a strategic decision to hire famed winemaker André Tchelistcheff who brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley. Tchelistcheff is often credited with elevating the quality of Napa wines, and his influence helped BV earn its place as one of the most prestigious wineries in the U.S.
This deeply colored cab boasts bright notes of black currant, blackberries, violet and spice box. The lush, juicy mouthfeel is layered with black fruit and notes of cocoa powder; graphite and light toasted oak mingle well with notes of espresso and vanilla. The ripe but present tannins support a full structure with balanced acidity leaving a lingering, powerful finish.
> For more information, visit Beaulieu Vineyard official website.
2. Robert Mondavi, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon | USA
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietals: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Price: $53.99
ABV: 14.5%
In 1966, Robert Mondavi built his Napa Valley Winery with a singular vision: to create wines that stand amongst the world’s finest. He believed that wines should reflect their origin, the soil, the climate, and the careful stewardship of those precious resources. Robert Mondavi was a pioneer in promoting California wines and helped establish the Napa Valley as a premier wine region.
Dark and concentrated, this wine displays aromas of cassis, black cherry and boysenberry, as well as notes of violet and fresh herbs. On the palate it is medium-bodied with supple, polished tannins and alluring layers of dark berries evolving in a well-balanced and elegant finish.
> For more information, visit Robert Mondavi Winery official website.
3. Cliff Lede, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon | USA
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietals: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Price: $80.00
ABV: 14.2%
Cliff Lede Vineyards is located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, known for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Founded in 2002 by Canadian businessman and wine enthusiast Cliff Lede, the winery combines a passion for both Bordeaux-style winemaking and modern artistry, creating a distinctive style that emphasizes elegance, balance, and power.
The wine shows a dark purple-red color. The nose is packed with dark berries, black cherry followed by some spicy and earthy notes. The flavor profile is marked by dark berries, plum, violets and cigar box. Well-integrated tannins and acidity evolve in a long, luscious finish.
> For more information, visit Cliff Lede official website.
Read more: The Best Sauvignon Blancs
4. Château Mouton Rothschild 2015 | Pauillac, France
Origin: Pauillac, France
Varietals: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Price: $750
ABV: 14%
2015 was a great year for many, although not all, Bordeaux vintners. The year blessed Mouton Rothschild with one of its finest vintages of all time. If you are a collector, this is one to snap up quick, if you can. A deeply colored wine, it offers exuberant black fruit flavors balanced with sexy spices. It is a wine you could drink now, if you really can’t wait, but it will continue to evolve and potentially improve for a decade or more.
> For more information, visit the Château Mouton Rothschild official website.
5. Cos d’Estournel, 2018 Saint-Estèphe | Bordeaux, France
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Varietals: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc
Price: $239.00
ABV: 14.5%
Saint-Estèphe is one of the famous six communes within the Haut-Médoc region which have their own appellation (Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Moulis and Listrac). It is the most northerly appellation and comprises 3,300 acres of vines just 35 miles north of the city of Bordeaux. The loamy subsoil on top of a layer of iron-rich stone is made up of clay, stones and lime. The soil is more fertile than in the southern appellations. Besides the dominant varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, there is a relatively high percentage of Merlot. The tannin-rich, deep-colored and well-structured wines are long lasting and should be cellared for many years before they can be fully enjoyed.
Cos d’Estournel (cos is French for pebbly hill – d’Estournel was one of the owners) is one of the top ranked wineries from Bordeaux producing racy, powerful, pure and complex Saint-Estèphe wines.
The 2018 shows a dense dark purple color. The nose is tightly wound but eventually opens up to reveal lush, ripe dark fruit with notes of incense, lead pencil and moist earth. The palate is dense with very well-integrated, ripe tannins and exhibits ripe plums, blueberries, cedar wood, violets and licorice. This wine delivers perfect balance and immense purity.
> For more information, visit the Cos d’Estournel official website.
6. Dalla Valle, 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon | USA
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietals: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Price: $299.00
ABV: 14.8%
Since husband-and-wife team Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle purchased the property in 1982 and began planting vines, their exceptional acreage has continually distinguished itself as the ideal site for producing very fine wines. With Naoko and Maya Dalla Valle (her daughter and winemaker) now at the helm, Dalla Valle Vineyards continues to produce elegant, age-worthy wines that are impeccably balanced and offer a distinct acidity compared to their Napa counterparts. Maya seeks to further the legacy of this true multigenerational winery and has incorporated changes such as a switch to biodynamic viticultural techniques.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of Dalla Valle’s unique terroir, and is an estate blend. Notes of perfumed violet and bergamot on the nose harmonize with aromas of allspice and cassis. On the first sip you will find rich notes of blackberry, cocoa powder and cedar box carried by the undercurrent of plush and elegant tannins. An elongated finish allows you to experience the full complexities of this wine, which will have a long life ahead. 2020 was a remarkable year to make wine.
> For more information, visit Dalla Valle official website.
7. Bousquet, 2021 Reserve Organic Cabernet Sauvignon | Valle de Uco, Argentina
Origin: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietals: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec
Price: $16.99
ABV: 14.5%
The Bousquet family hails from the city of Carcassonne in the South of France and has four generations of history in the winemaking tradition. A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took for winemaker Jean Bousquet to fall in love with the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. There, where the condors fly and without a vine in sight, Jean discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location to nurture organically grown grapes in sandy soil – a rarity. Sandy soil makes for elegant wines, its low fertility gives desirable vine stress; it is permeable for good drainage and has no salinity issues, often a problem in arid areas. Grapes in this terroir are the last to be harvested, the extra hang time ensures heightened richness and body.
This wine is made with hand-picked grapes are harvested in the third and fourth weeks of April, before undergoing a 48-hour cold maceration at 50°F/10°C, followed by a 10-day fermentation using selected yeasts between 77° F/25°C and 81°F/27°C, and a further 10-day maceration. 100% malolactic and aged in contact with French oak 6-8 months. It is showing berry and cassis flavors, and bright acidity. This silky Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comes with a dash of French elegance and just a touch of oak.
Pairing: Perfect with barbecued beef ribs and grilled red meat. Best served at 18°C/65°F.
> For more information, visit the Domaine Bousquet official website.
8. Sullivan Rutherford Estate, 2021 Coeur de Vigne | USA
Origin: Napa Valley, California, USA
Varietals: 80% Cabernet 14% Merlot 6% Petit Verdot
Price: $79.99
ABV: 14.8%
The heritage of Sullivan Rutherford Estate dates back two centuries to 1821 when ownership of the Napa Valley transitioned from Spain to Mexico. Twenty years later, the Napa Valley was divided into two parcels through a land grant given by Governor Juan Alvarado — Rancho Caymus to the south, and Rancho Carne Humana to the north. Sullivan’s property lies on this historic division. The first pioneers in Napa Valley winemaking, namely Captain Niebaum and Georges de Latour, landed in Rutherford in the late 1800s and produced the most noteworthy New World wines of that time. In 1918, Virgile Galleron acquired 402 acres in Rutherford with the purpose of farming the land. Nearly 60 years later, James O’Neil Sullivan purchased 26 acres in Rutherford from the Galleron family and planted Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon under the guidance of his good friend and legendary winemaker, André Tchelistcheff.
This wine delivers aromas of blue and black fruit, floral notes, savory dark chocolate,
and minerality. The well-proportioned, refined palate reveals firm but mature
tannins, enhancing the wine’s framework. The balance lingers through the finish,
solidifying this wine with finesse and charisma.
Vintage notes: A vintage with diminished yields, offering petite, intensely flavored berries crafting wines of notable density, concentration, and vigor.
> For more information, visit the Sullivan Rutherford Estate official website.
9. Patrimony, 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaida District | USA
Origin: Paso Robles, California
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $275.00
ABV: 15.8%
Straight from the heart of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District in California, brothers and co-founders Daniel and Georges Daou create elegant wines that rival the best in Napa Valley, Bordeaux and beyond. Located only 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyards experience an intense diurnal temperature shift which allows them to receive the perfect balance of concentrated flavors and balancing acidities.
As winemaker, Daniel Daou is confident that the Patrimony range will illustrate that the Adelaida District is the next benchmark for Bordeaux varietals. With an intense, integrated flavor profile in mind, he ages the wines for 30 months in custom-made oak barrels from France.
This wine has a deep ruby color. One the nose: aromas of cassis, blueberry, pomegranate, and currants. Notes of tobacco, chocolate, and toasted spices follow, bringing an immense depth to this wine. The palate is full-bodied and rich with ideal balance between concentrated fruit and freshness. From its mouthwatering acidity and flawlessly integrated oak, it finishes with notes of blackberry jam, cacao, and mocha complemented with herbaceous tones of fennel and thyme.
> For more information, visit the Patrimony official website.
READ MORE: Soul of A Lion, A Roaring Cabernet Sauvignon | DAOU Vineyards, Paso Robles
10. Ram’s Gate, Cellar Note, 2021 Moon Mountain | USA
Origin: Sonoma, California, USA
Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $75.00
ABV: 14.8%
Hailing from the Mayacamas Mountain range in Sonoma Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon charts the beginning of a journey to uncover unique terroir that highlights the classic side of the varietal. The 2018 growing season was marked by steady weather and a cooler August. This gave way to a full canopy which provided balanced flavors and higher natural acidity.
On the nose, the wine has fruit-forward profile marked by red currants, Santa Rosa plum, and anise. The palate, characterized by well-woven tannins, delivers a mouth-coating freshness that signifies the wine’s youthful vibrancy. To fully savor its evolving complexity, we recommend decanting for the first few years.
> For more information, visit the Ram’s Gate official website
