Grapes · Red grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
The world's most planted quality red grape. Small, thick-skinned berries give deep colour, firm tannins and a signature scent of blackcurrant. Built for ageing and often blended with Merlot.
On the nose
Young wines (primary aromas)
- blackcurrant (cassis)
- black cherry
- blackberry
- green bell pepper (cooler climates)
- mint / eucalyptus
- cedar
Oak & winemaking (secondary)
- vanilla
- toast
- mocha
- coffee
With bottle age (tertiary)
- cigar box
- tobacco
- graphite / pencil shavings
- leather
- forest floor
On the palate
Dry, with concentrated black fruit, high and often grippy tannins, medium-plus to high acidity and a long, structured finish. Warm climates (Napa, Barossa) give riper, rounder fruit; Bordeaux shows more cedar and graphite.
Tasting tip
Look for the cassis + cedar + firm tannin trio. If the tannin dries your gums strongly and the fruit is black rather than red, Cabernet is a good first guess.
Often confused with
Merlot (softer, plummier), Cabernet Franc (more red fruit and leafy notes), Carmenère (more green pepper and spice).