A RED GRAPE · BORDEAUX LEFT BANK
Cabernet Sauvignon
Full body, firm tannin, cassis.
What Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape. In the glass it reads as full body, firm tannin and cassis. Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and full-bodied, with high, gripping tannin and fresh acidity, finishing dry. Oak is a strong part of the picture. Its home turf, as we hold it, is Bordeaux Left Bank, Napa.
Where Cabernet Sauvignon grows
Our appellations table names Cabernet Sauvignon in 201 wine regions. The ones with the most wines in our database are Napa Valley (USA), Pauillac (France), Pomerol (France), Margaux (France), Saint-Émilion (France), Tuscany (Italy), Saint-Julien (France), Pessac-Léognan (France), Saint-Estèphe (France), Spring Mountain District (USA), Bolgheri (Italy) and Oakville (USA).
Cabernet Sauvignon is grown well beyond that list: 189 more appellations name it as a main grape, which is part of why one bottle can taste so different from the next.
How the place changes the glass
- Napa Valley (USA): Ripe, full-bodied, dark fruit, cedar/vanilla. Mountain AVAs (Howell/Spring/Diamond) = more tannic/structured. Climate: mediterranean, warm. Fog line separates mountain AVAs (above) from valley floor.
- Pauillac (France): Powerful, structured Cabernet-dominant blends with black fruit, graphite and firm tannin; long-lived. Climate: temperate maritime, moderated by the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary.
- Pomerol (France): Soft, voluptuous reds with plush tannins and dark cherry fruit, emphasizing richness over structure. Climate: warm maritime-influenced temperate.
- Margaux (France): Structured, elegant Cabernet-based blends with cassis, cedar, and fine-grained tannins. Climate: temperate maritime.
What to eat with Cabernet Sauvignon
The classic partners are ribeye, lamb and aged cheddar. Its tannin wants fat and protein on the plate, so rich meats and aged cheeses suit it.
Cabernet Sauvignon on menus we hold
- Grilled Beef Balsiger at Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville: paired with Cabernet - Merlot Domaine Salathé (2020). Pencil shavings and an old, serious book.
- Grilled Beef from Les Pléiades at Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville: paired with Cabernet - Merlot Domaine Salathé (2020). A cedar-lined study, a leather chair, a long wait for rain.
Cabernet Sauvignon in our cellar
The appellations above account for about 19,902 Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the Sommurai database, which is how we know which regions pour it most.
Grapes to try next
If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, these red grapes are worth a glass: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc and Tempranillo.
Quick answers
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon reads as full body, firm tannin and cassis. Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and full-bodied, with high, gripping tannin and fresh acidity, finishing dry. Oak is a strong part of the picture.
What food goes with Cabernet Sauvignon?
ribeye, lamb and aged cheddar.
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?
Our appellations table names Cabernet Sauvignon in 201 wine regions, including Napa Valley (USA), Pauillac (France), Pomerol (France), Margaux (France) and Saint-Émilion (France).
Open it in the app
Pair every dish on a menu with a wine you can order: scan a menu, swipe the pairings, explore restaurants, wineries and hotels.