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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Finca Tobella, Priorat, Selección, 2017
Full Bodeid
A blockbuster, a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon with a year in oak....
OriginSpain
RegionPriorat
ColourRed
ABV14.8%
Bottle75cl
CodeTOB317
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon
Buy 6
Save £14.97
Frédéric Borderie’s principal wine, 65% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeGRC218
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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Vieille Dynastie, Lalande de Pomerol, 2018
Medium Bodied
60% Merlot with 20% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc; on gravelly soils over a...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeVID118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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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, 2018
Full Bodied
A sumptuous, lightly oaked blend of 37% Malbec and Syrah and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. Each...
OriginArgentina
RegionMendoza
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAE918
GrapeMalbec, Syrah & Cabernet Sauvignon
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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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Save £13.14
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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The top red here, based on a barrel selection from one parcel of vines producing small berries....
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCederberg
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCED918
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, 2019
Medium Bodied
Not just a very pretty (pinkish) traditional label. Appealing strawberry and blackberry core,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePIC119
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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From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAZ118
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
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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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Chateau Bellegrave, Pauillac, 2015
Medium Bodied
Owned by the Meffre brothers, Bellegrave lies in an enviable spot between the Pichons and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBLL115
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
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
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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Berbillot, Côtes de Bourg, 2019
Medium-Bodied
From the Hoclet family at Villeneuve, about 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, a light and...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEQ119
GrapeMerlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
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Chateau Les Anguilleys, Medoc, 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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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
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Save £20.34
Finca Tobella, Negre, Priorat, 2020
Full Bodied
From a recently founded estate in Priorat in Catalonia, a great Spanish terroir, on steep...
OriginSpain
RegionPriorat
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTOB120
GrapeCarignan, Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache
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
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Bremerton Tamblyn, Langhorne Creek, 2018
Full bodied
A blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz, 11% Malbec and 5% Merlot. A quintessential South...
OriginAustralia
RegionLanghorne Creek
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBRE118
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Malbec
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Blackcurrant, plum and cherry with a hint of spice. This is a polished and smooth take on the...
OriginAustralia
RegionMargaret River
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAP219
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
