Cabernet Sauvignon
Structure, blackcurrant and ageing potential.
Its tannin and acidity give it a firm frame. It is often blended with Merlot and pairs well with savoury dishes.
What to notice
Compare a young Cabernet with a mature one: tannins soften while fruit aromas can evolve.
Explore styles and places
Style descriptions are guides, not rules: vintage, vineyard, blending and maturation change the result.
Bordeaux — Cabernet Sauvignon leads on the Left Bank, Merlot on the Right; styles range from approachable bottles to ageworthy wines.
Napa Valley — Ripe fruit, polished tannins and ageing potential shape many of its leading reds.
Stellenbosch — Altitude and Atlantic proximity bring variety and freshness to the styles.
Maipo Valley — From Andean foothills to the coastal range, site and blending bring nuance to structured reds.
