Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most recognisable wine varietals and is grown in all countries where wine is produced. According to Forbes in 2018, the varietal was the most planted wine grape in the world, covering 340,000 hectares internationally. It has been affectionately coined ‘King of the Reds”

Despite its notoriety in the wine world, the grape is a relatively new variety, being the product of a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in the 17th century in southwestern France. Its popularity is sometimes attributed to its ease of cultivation as the grapes have thick skins and the vines are hardy and naturally low yielding, budding late to avoid frost and resistant to viticultural hazards such as rot and insects.

Whilst you will see this as a single varietal in many parts of the world, it has been used as the backbone of Bordeaux wines since the 18th century, always blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and occasionally Petite Verdot.

The classic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be full-bodied, concentrated flavours with high tannins and dark purple-ruby in colour, and in parts of Australia, particularly the Coonawarra, the wines tend to have a characteristic eucalyptus or menthol notes.

Given their full bodies, Cabernets have an affinity for oak and can spend 24 months in barrels. Quality examples also have excellent cellaring potential, with the tannins softening over time.

Listed below are the wineries that produce Cabernet Sauvignon.

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