Cabernet Sauvignon is essentially the prima donna of grapes. Even if you know next to nothing about wine, you will almost certainly recognise the name. It is adored worldwide for its versatility, accessibility and ability to age wonderfully.
At 8Wines, we know that one of the most satisfying things for a wine enjoyer is finding the perfect balance between quality and price. This article sorts our own carefully curated range of Cabernet Sauvignon wines into different price tiers, so you can easily find the bottle that suits you best.
What is Cabernet Sauvignon and why is it so popular?
Cabernet Sauvignon, also known as “Cab Sav” or simply “Cabernet” for short, is a red grape varietal from the Bordeaux region of France. It’s known for producing wine with bold character and intense dark fruit flavours, such as blackberry, blackcurrant, plum and black cherry. Depending on which climate it is grown in, Cab Sav can also contain some distinctive notes of bell pepper, mint, eucalyptus, vegetation or jammy fruits.
What is so special about Cabernet Sauvignon?
The wine's flavour profile has a universal appeal - not so intense as to be too challenging, but containing just enough intricacy to remain interesting, even to the most die-hard connoisseurs. Another factor that makes Cabernet so popular is its robustness in the vineyard. It is not a picky grape and can be cultivated in a huge variety of climates and soils.
Trends come and go in the wine world. Right now, we are in what could be considered an “Age of Cabernet”, where the grape has, without a doubt, achieved world domination. This immense popularity may have fatigued consumers. We’re so used to seeing Cabernet on the shelf, that we rarely stop to think where it has come from. Before we launch into the price ranges, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Short History of Cabernet Sauvignon
With its current popularity, you may be surprised to learn that Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively young grape. In fact, it first sprouted in the 17th century - the result of an accidental crossing between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc - hence the name, “Cabernet Sauvignon”.
This likely happened somewhere in the southwest of France. All we know for sure is that the grape grew in popularity throughout the 18th century, spreading throughout France, but proving particularly popular in the Médoc region, which is better known as being part of the Left Bank of Bordeaux. This small region has come to be defined by the Cabernet grape, and its wines are known for being slightly more tannic, angular and bold than the neighbouring Right Bank.
In the 19th century, the grape was first introduced to northern parts of Spain and Italy - Rioja and Piedmont respectively. Slowly but surely, Cabernet Sauvignon has spread to almost every wine-making region in the world throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, including the New World, finding a home away from home in California’s Napa Valley. There are a few specific regions to look out for while shopping, where the best Cabernet Sauvignon comes from - let’s take a look at those now.
TOP Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Regions
Bordeaux, France
If you want to cut straight to the core of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux is the place to visit first. Wines from around the Gironde Estuary are often complex, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated red blends, supported and elevated by portions of some of the region's other official grapes, such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bordeaux has a perfect combination of environmental factors that make it suitable for growing Cabernet, and because of that, it has attracted a lot of wine-makers. Consumers are spoiled for choice, and Bordeaux is a great place to experiment and find a bargain wine that suits you.
Napa Valley, California
Although the wine-making tradition arrived in the United States much later than in Europe, California’s incredible terroir quickly cemented it as a premier wine region. Embodied by top-shelf wineries like Caymus, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is famous worldwide for its complexity, and can be easily mistaken for its French counterpart.
Washington State, USA
Washington State is the dark horse of American wine regions, often eclipsed by its distant southerly neighbour, California. Most wine comes from the state's surprisingly arid eastern half, which is heavily influenced by the Cascade Mountain Range’s rain shadow. The state has given rise to Cabernet Sauvignon with a fruit-forward, easy-drinking character - particularly fantastic examples can be found in the appellations of Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain or Columbia Valley.
Tuscany, Italy
Cabernet Sauvignon’s inevitable spread to Italy has resulted in plenty of experimentation. In Tuscany, it is frequently blended with Italian varietals, such as Sangiovese, to make Super Tuscans - bold red wines that bend and break the rules of Tuscany’s numerous appellations.
Australia
Cabernet Sauvignon emerged as a fitting selection for Australia's thriving wine industry, owing to its remarkable resilience in challenging conditions. Among the earliest wines to embody the distinct "Australian style," the combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz exudes a robust, smoky allure and a lusciously fruity essence. Western Australia, renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, encompasses the entire region, while smaller appellations such as Margaret River and Barossa offer intriguing options worth exploring.
South America
In regions of Chile and Argentina, wine-makers craft Cabernet Sauvignon with a special mountainous character. Wines here are heavily influenced by the Andes, and vineyards are dotted around the mountain ranges' foothills, making for highly acidic, food-friendly wine, with a strikingly fruity character.
These are some of the top regions worldwide - next, we’ll go into specific bottles you can find in each region, sorted according to your budget and taste.
Our Top Cabernet Sauvignon Recommendations for any Budget and Taste
€70 to 100+
We’ll start things off with the collector’s items - the big shot Cabs that will reward you for cellaring and can be saved and savoured for a long time. Caymus is one of the biggest names in California, and a lot of the winery’s success is due to the excellence of its Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re a wine connoisseur, Caymus is always worth every penny - it’s a quintessential Californian wine, inky, complex and deeply rewarding.
Slightly further north of Napa Valley in the region of Alexander Valley (renowned for its elegant style), you can also try this incredible offering from Silver Oak Winery. It’s a complex layer cake of dark, tangy fruits, coffee, cocoa and dried herbs.
In Western Australia, Margaret River has grown to become one of the best regions for Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. Conditions here are remarkably similar to the Médoc in Bordeaux, and those at Moss Wood Winery have also taken a lot of inspiration from their French forebearers. This Cabernet walks the tightrope between powerful and elegant, and can easily stay in the cellar for up to 20 years. Margaret River grows in stature year by year, making this a reliable choice for any serious collector.
€30 to 60+
There are some absolute steals at this price point, perfect for yourself or as an impressive gift for a wine-obsessed friend. This Cabernet from Leeuwin Estate is another one from Margaret River, dripping with class and exploding with rich flavours of dark fruits, leather, chocolate and herbs. It’s a single-vineyard wine, precise and full of the region’s refined character.
Il Pareto is a stranger in the heart of Chianti country, made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine from Tenute di Nozzole is consistently rated 95+, so if you want to know what quality Old World Cabernet tastes like, this wine is a good place to start. It is bold and packed with black fruits, with some superb details in the background - leather, earth, coffee and baking spice intertwine beautifully.
The Catena Zapata family are Argentinan royalty, crafting a range of gorgeous wines in high-elevation locations. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is simply fantastic value for money. Featuring a generous bouquet of subtle spice, herbs and intense dark fruits, it has some incredible ageing potential and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
€20 and Under
We’re kicking things off with a perennial favourite. Moldovan wine is not widely recognised, but its terroir can be remarkably similar to Bordeaux, and this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend even worked its way into the Queen of England’s cellar. It is joined by a splash of Saperavi and Rara Neagra, giving it a distinctly Eastern European twist. A fantastic wine for any occasion.
Our next recommendation speaks for itself, with numerous 95+ ratings. It comes from Mendoza, the beating heart of Argentinian wine production. The Tapiz Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from approximately 1400 metres above sea level, imparting incredible acidity and intense fruit flavours. This is a great wine for shorter-term cellaring, and you can discover rich flavours of blackcurrant, plum and cherry, with secondary notes of baking spice.
Charles Smith is one of Washington State’s most daring winemakers, crafting a punchy range of wines with a wholly unique style. Our recommendation for those with a smaller budget is his Substance Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an easy-drinking Cabernet, replete with notes of blackberry, rich spices, and a full, well-rounded body. It’s a great choice for any occasion that needs a bottle of red wine, and would also make for an impressive gift.
However, if you’re not afraid to spend a little bit extra, we wholeheartedly recommend this Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Smith’s Powerline range. What differentiates these two options from Charles Smith is the fact that Powerline’s fruits are all sourced from a single vineyard, making for a well-defined, focused character, and a supreme drinking experience.
With Cabernet Sauvignon being the most popular grape on the planet, you could probably spend a lifetime exploring all of the variations and regions where it can be found. Don’t forget that 8Wines delivers throughout Europe, so if you want to diversify your collection, get a gift for a friend, or pick something up for yourself, all you have to do is head over to our website and start exploring! When it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon, there really is something for everybody - we hope that this article has helped you to laser in on your perfect choice.
Thank you, great service and wine