Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds late, but also ripens late (so some danger of equinoctial storms)
- Loose bunches of thick-skinned grapes (so good resistance to rain and disease)
- Loves well-drained soils (e.g. gravels of Médoc, Rutherford bench, Coonawarra Terra rossa)
- Low yielding
- High proportion of skin and pip to pulp, hence deep colour and high tannin
- Deep colour (deepest of all mainstream grapes)
- Key fruit quality: blackcurrants
- Melding of fruit and oak: cedary and cigar-box flavours with age
Vinification / Maturation
- Long macerations to extract colour and flavour
- Long maturation in (often) new, small (225l.) French oak barrels
Homeland
- Bordeaux: the classic grape of the left bank, especially Graves and Médoc (doesn’t like the cooler, damper, clay soils of the right bank)
- Summit: the five first growths: Latour, Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, Margaux (Médoc) & Haut-Brion (Graves)
- Generally makes up 60-80% of left bank claret.
- N.B. Contrast: in homeland of Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon is usually part of a blend. In New World often made as 100% CS
Also to be found in
- France (but not that widely planted): S.W. France, e.g. Bergerac; Provence and Languedoc (e.g. Vin de Pays & Mas de Daumas Gassac), Loire
- Italy: North-east and Tuscany - 100% Cabernets, e.g. Sassicaia - or part of a blend with Sangiovese
- Bulgaria: Huge volume & poor quality, but potential?
- USA: California, esp. Napa Valley & Sonoma Washington State
- Australia: South Australia, esp. Coonawarra; Western Australia, esp. Margaret River; Victoria. Often blended with Shiraz
- New Zealand: Around Auckland and Hawkes Bay, usually in Bordeaux style blend
- South Africa: held back by poor, disease-ridden plant material until 1990s: now new Cabernet clones of promise, both blends and as a single varietal
- South America: very high quality examples from Chile; and Cabernet of more dubious varietal character from Argentina
Our Cabernet Sauvignon Wines…
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Goedverwacht, J & G Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson 2020
Medium bodied
Here's a pure Cape Cabernet, showing a whiff of smokey oak (from eight months in barrel)...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionRobertson
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeGDV320
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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Carinae, Cuvée Philippe, Mendoza, 2017
Full Bodied
A sumptuous, lightly oaked blend of thirds of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Each grape...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE917
GrapeMalbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
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Carinae, Prestige, Mendoza, 2014
Full Bodied
About 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, a selection of the best grapes of the...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE514
GrapeMalbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
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Gruff M. Perromat’s top wine, from about 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBDU616
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
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Château La Plaige, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2018
Medium Bodied
Charmingly labelled wine - which we have shipped many times before. It's a blend of 60%...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePLA118
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
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Frédéric Borderie's principal wine, 65% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15%...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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This is subtle and elegant, light and refreshing. It's a wine for those who like their...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRosé
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC520
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2016
Medium Bodied
85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, handled by top consultant Stéphane...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEA116
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Château Deyrem Valentin, Margaux, 2016
Medium, Full Bodied
50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus 1% of Petit Verdot, with about 35% new barrels: a...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeDEY116
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
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Cederberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cederberg, 2018
Full Bodied
In the cool mountain vineyards Cabernet enjoys a long ripening period, excellent for aromatics....
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCederberg
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCED718
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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There's usually only around 500 dozen released of David Nieuwoudt's top red, based on...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCederberg
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCED917
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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Le Petit Pont Rouge, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2020
Medium Bodied
Largely from Grenache, Cinsault and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Bramble fruited but with a...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEP620
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Cabernet Sauvignon
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La Salette, IGP Côtes de Gascogne Rouge, 2020
Light bodied
This is a light, deliriously purple-hued wine which one could easily serve lightly chilled with...
OriginFrance
RegionSouth-West
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeSAL620
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Chateau Piconat, Bordeaux, 2016
Medium Bodied
Appealing red fruit, fresh and balanced, with savoury touches. Smooth, with some body; and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePIC116
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Chateau Les Pelerins, Pomerol, 2014
Full Bodied
Named as on an old pilgrim route, Pelerins, owned by Josette et Nobert Egreteau, is a tiny 3.5...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePEL114
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Chateau La Raze Beauvallet, Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, 2015
Medium Bodied
One can barely go wrong with Cru Bourgeois in the perfect summer of 2015. From an estate in...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeRAZ115
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
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Château Pierre de Montignac, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, 2016
Medium Bodied
A Cru Bourgeois from a top red Bordeaux vintage usually offers excellent value - and this long...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodePDM116
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
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Domaine des Forges, Anjou-Villages, Les Trois C, 2019
Medium Bodied
From 70% Cabernet Franc with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on clay and sand over schist.;...
OriginFrance
RegionLoire
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR319
GrapeCabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
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Chateau du Glana, Saint-Julien, 2016
Medium Bodied
56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot, given 12 months in oak, 40% new: suave and already...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGLA116
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Finca Tobella, Negre, Priorat, 2018
Full Bodied
Very deeply coloured, inky; overtly flavoured by the barrels, with expensive, clean, cedary...
OriginSpain
RegionPriorat
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTOB118
GrapeSyrah, Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache
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Very deep hue. Typical Aussie Cab. profi le of ripe blackcurrant and blueberry tinged with...
OriginAustralia
RegionBarossa
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTHO117
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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Valle Frio, Red Blend, Reserva Especial
Full Bodied
A well-crafted blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere, 10% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot,...
OriginChile
RegionMaule
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeFRI814
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere & Syrah
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Apaltagua, Envero, Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Apalta Vineyard Selection, Colchagua, 2018
Full Bodied
Classic Chilean Cab. Blast of blackcurrant and eucalyptus. Glossy cassis fruit, very pure and...
OriginChile
RegionColchagua
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeAPA218
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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Vriesenhof, Kallista, Stellenbosch, 2016
Full Bodied
A beautiful Bordeaux blend given ageing in plenty of new barrels, 40% Cabernet Franc, 35%...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCeres
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVRI416
GrapeCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Château Les Anguilleys, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, 2015
Medium-Bodied
"Cru bourgeois from Begadan. 40-year-old vines grown by Ch Vieux Robin.Bright garnet....
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeANG115
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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Château Haut-Bellevue, Moulis, 2016
Full Bodied
From a tiny 2 hectare parcel owned by Alain Roses: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 10%...
OriginFrance
RegionMoulis
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeHAU116
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
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Deep and opaque. Scent of black fruit and oak notes. Blackcurranty attack, very ripe but fresh...
OriginUSA
RegionLodi
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMCM218
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon
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Chateau Barrejat, Madiran, Tradition, 2018
Medium Body
"Deep purple. Smooth, sweet fruit with more lift and less tannin (despite Tannat's...
OriginFrance
RegionMadiran
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBAJ118
GrapeTannat, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2016
Medium Bodied
The Melet family has owned Château Beauséjour in Fronsac for five generations. Since 2011,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeBEA915
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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From 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a selection of older vines on prime gravel and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGRC316
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
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Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2016
Medium Bodied
Wonderfully ripe - rich and svelte. Brambly fruit tinged with liqueur cherries; luxuriant...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVID116
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Wonderfuly ripe - so rich, lush and supple. A sense of liqueur cherries - luxuriant fruit...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle150cl
CodeVID916
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Cedary aroma; and then a burst of intense red fruit - raspberry coulis. Silky, and so fine,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeGRC916
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Petit Pont, Rouge (5l Bag in Box), IGP Pays d'Oc, 2020
Medium bodied
Largely from Grenache, Cinsault and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Bramble fruited but with a...
OriginFrance
RegionPays d'Oc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bag in Box5l
CodeBIB220
GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Cabernet Sauvignon
