Cabernet Sauvignon
The world's most planted premium red grape and the backbone of the greatest cellar-worthy reds. Thick-skinned and late-ripening, it builds structure, depth and decades of ageing potential.
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar and firm, age-worthy tannin.
Ribeye, lamb, aged hard cheeses.
Napa Valley, Bordeaux (Médoc), Alexander Valley, Barossa Valley.
Wineries growing Cabernet Sauvignon
Opus One
Oakville · Est. 1979
Cassis, graphite and violets in a spine of ultra-fine tannin; effortlessly cellar-worthy 20+ years.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Stags Leap District · Est. 1970
Silky, red-and-black-fruited Cabernet with graceful structure; the benchmark for finesse in Napa.
Caymus Vineyards
Rutherford · Est. 1972
Opulent cassis, cocoa and vanilla with a supple, mouth-coating finish.
Cakebread Cellars
Rutherford · Est. 1973
Bright citrus-and-oak Chardonnay; the Cabernet is balanced with fresh acidity and cedar.
Duckhorn Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1976
Plush, plummy Merlot with graphite and mocha; polished and dinner-ready.
Chateau Montelena
Calistoga · Est. 1882
Taut, mineral Chardonnay that ages for decades; the Estate Cabernet is firm and savoury.
Beringer Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1876
The Private Reserve is a benchmark, age-worthy Napa Cabernet — cassis, cedar and toasty oak.
Robert Mondavi Winery
Oakville · Est. 1966
To Kalon Cabernet is powerful yet refined; Fumé Blanc pioneered oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc in the US.
Inglenook
Rutherford · Est. 1879
Rubicon is a graceful, Rutherford-dust Cabernet blend with tobacco, cassis and fine tannin.
Far Niente
Oakville · Est. 1885
Poised, understated Cabernet and a rich, barrel-fermented Chardonnay — classic Napa polish.
Shafer Vineyards
Stags Leap District · Est. 1972
Dense yet lifted — black cherry, espresso and cocoa with sweet, mountain-fruit tannin.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1973
Insignia is grand and structured — cassis, dark chocolate and cedar built for long ageing.
Grgich Hills Estate
Rutherford · Est. 1977
Restrained, mineral Chardonnay and a classically proportioned Cabernet — freshness over flash.
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Oak Knoll District · Est. 1968
Crisp, citrusy Chardonnay and a savoury Dragon's Tooth blend — the cool Oak Knoll signature.
Darioush
Napa Valley · Est. 1997
Lush, polished Cabernet and a rare Napa Shiraz — generous fruit and sweet spice.
Hall Wines
St. Helena · Est. 2003
Polished, dark-fruited Cabernet with fine-grained tannin and generous oak.
Castello di Amorosa
Calistoga · Est. 2007
Approachable Italian-style reds; the destination is the castle itself.
Frog's Leap Winery
Rutherford · Est. 1981
Fresh, food-friendly, lower-alcohol wines with vibrant acidity and true varietal character.
Chimney Rock Winery
Stags Leap District · Est. 1980
Classic Stags Leap silkiness — red plum, violets and supple tannin.
Artesa Vineyards & Winery
Carneros · Est. 1991
Bright Carneros Chardonnay and Pinot; go for the view and stay for the bubbles.
Nickel & Nickel
Oakville · Est. 1997
A masterclass in site expression — taste Oakville, Rutherford and Howell Mountain side by side.
Sterling Vineyards
Calistoga · Est. 1964
Easy-drinking Napa classics; the gondola ride and views are the headline.
Beaulieu Vineyard
Rutherford · Est. 1900
The Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a benchmark, cellar-worthy Rutherford Cabernet.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Restrained, food-friendly Cabernet and a taut Russian River Chardonnay — French sensibility, Sonoma fruit.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1981
Crisp Fumé Blanc and rich Chardonnay; the gardens make it a photographer's favourite.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Russian River Valley · Est. 1959
Reliable, well-priced Sonoma classics across Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot.
Dry Creek Vineyard
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1972
Zesty Fumé Blanc and juicy old-vine Zinfandel; a great picnic stop.
Silver Oak — Alexander Valley
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Signature sweet-oak, dill and cassis profile; smooth and instantly recognisable.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Alexander Valley · Est. 2006
Crowd-pleasing, well-made reds; a family-friendly destination day.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate
Sonoma County · Est. 1982
Ripe, tropical, lightly oaked Chardonnay; the culinary gardens are a highlight.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1971
Rich old-vine Zinfandel and plush reds tuned for the table.
Chalk Hill Estate
Chalk Hill · Est. 1972
Textural, mineral Chardonnay; the estate grounds are extraordinary.
Buena Vista Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1857
Approachable estate reds wrapped in genuine California history.
Gundlach Bundschu
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1858
Characterful estate wines, including a rare dry Gewürztraminer; genuinely fun visit.
Kunde Family Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1904
Reliable estate range; the mountain-top tasting has a jaw-dropping valley view.
Chateau St. Jean
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1973
Polished Bordeaux-style Cinq Cépages; the manicured gardens are a highlight.
Benziger Family Winery
Sonoma Mountain · Est. 1980
Clean, expressive estate wines; the tram tour is a wine-country classic.
Imagery Estate Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1985
Playful, small-lot experiments — a place to taste something you can't get elsewhere.
Silverado Vineyards
Stags Leap District · Est. 1981
Polished, red-fruited Cabernet with supple Stags Leap texture and gentle oak.
Rombauer Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1980
Ripe, creamy and tropical — unabashedly lush, oak-kissed Chardonnay.
Charles Krug Winery
St. Helena · Est. 1861
Classic, savoury Napa Cabernet steeped in more than 160 years of valley history.
Clos Du Val
Stags Leap District · Est. 1972
Restrained, Bordeaux-inflected Cabernet with fine-grained tannin and freshness.
Sequoia Grove
Rutherford · Est. 1978
Quintessential 'Rutherford dust' Cabernet — cocoa, cassis and a fine, dusty grip.
Château Margaux
Margaux, Médoc · Est. 1705
Violets, cassis and cedar over silken tannin — ageless elegance and decades of cellaring.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac, Médoc · Est. 1868
Graphite, cedar and cassis in an understated, extraordinarily long-lived frame.
Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico, Tuscany · Est. 1385
Sour cherry, tobacco and cedar with polished tannin; Solaia adds Bordeaux density.
Penfolds
Barossa Valley · Est. 1844
Massive yet polished — blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice and sweet American oak.
Henschke
Eden Valley · Est. 1868
Perfumed, silky and profound — a more elegant counterpoint to Grange.
Catena Zapata
Uco Valley, Mendoza · Est. 1902
Violet, blackberry and cocoa with vibrant, altitude-driven freshness.
Cabernet Sauvignon FAQs
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon typically shows Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar and firm, age-worthy tannin. The world's most planted premium red grape and the backbone of the greatest cellar-worthy reds. Thick-skinned and late-ripening, it builds structure, depth and decades of ageing potential.
What food pairs with Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with Ribeye, lamb, aged hard cheeses.
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?
Classic homes for Cabernet Sauvignon include Napa Valley, Bordeaux (Médoc), Alexander Valley, Barossa Valley. Estates in our guide that grow it include Opus One, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Caymus Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Duckhorn Vineyards, Chateau Montelena.
Taste Cabernet Sauvignon where it grows best
Let a Chauffyr chauffeur plan a wine day around the estates that make Cabernet Sauvignon shine.