Cabernet Sauvignon
The preeminent classic red; one of the most tannic major grapes, making structured, powerful, ageworthy wines.
About the grape
The preeminent classic red grape, cabernet sauvignon makes some of the most structured, complex, majestic, and ageworthy reds in the world, often angular and powerful when young before turning velvety and elegant with age. Its aromas — blackberry, black currant, cassis, cedar, graphite, tobacco — are well known, and it is one of the most tannic of all the major red grapes; unripe it can taste vegetal. Historically the most prized versions were Médoc Bordeaux blends, but world-class cabernets now also come from California, Italy, Australia, and Washington State.
Where it grows
Aconcagua Valley, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Bordeaux, Cachapoal Valley, California, Central Valley, Colchagua Valley, Coonawarra, Maipo Valley, Margaret River, Maule, Mendoza, Napa Valley, South Australia, Victoria, Washington
