Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Profile & Characteristics
Cabernet Sauvignon is a widely grown grape variety that has given the world some of the most popular and beloved red wines.
Interestingly, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape was the result of an accidental cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in France during the 17th century!
What does Cabernet wine taste like?
In this article, let's explore all about the enchanting Cabernet Sauvignon taste, including how Old World Cab Sauv differs from New World Cab Sauv and how to drink this great wine.
Further reading
- Explore everything about this grape and it's wines in this Cabernet Sauvignon Guide.
- Here's a list of 15 Outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Bottles in 2023.
What Does Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Like?
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal produces a full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors like black cherry, blackberry, and black currant. It also has savory notes of spice and black pepper.
The aroma notes include vanilla and clove (a result of the oak barrel aging) and a distinct hint of green bell pepper.
The Cabernet grape variety gives the wine high tannin and acidity levels.
This wine grape is grown in different regions across the world, and the flavor profiles are as varied as the terroir it grows in!
Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes: Old World vs. New World
Let’s explore how the Old World Cabernet taste is different from the taste of its New World counterpart:
1. Old World
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Old World regions like Bordeaux, France, tend to pack herbal aroma with graphite, violets, tobacco, and black fruit flavors.
When you take a whiff of a Cab Sauv Bordeaux wine, for example, you’ll notice a mix of black cherries and licorice with a bit of earthiness.
Other Bordeaux wine tasting notes include:
- Black Currant
- Anise
- Plum Sauce
- Pencil Lead
2. New World
New World Cabernet Sauvignon has a richer fruit flavor. You can expect tasting notes of black cherry fruit flavour, licorice, and black pepper with a hint of vanilla.
These wines have less tannin and acidity and higher alcohol content (13.5 - 15.5% ABV) than Old World Cab wines.
Here are some New World wine regions and their Cabernet wine tasting notes:
- California, USA: California Cabernet wines are mostly produced in Napa Valley and Sonoma. They tend to have black currant, blackberry, tobacco, mint, and pencil lead flavors.
- South Australia: The South Australian warm climate gives the wine a silky tannin mouthfeel, pleasant acidity, and flavors of black plum, bay leaf, white pepper, and chocolate.
- Chile: Mostly produced in the Central Valley wine region, these wines have blackberry, baking spices, black cherry, fig paste, and green peppercorn flavors.
How to Drink Cabernet Sauvignon Wine?
Chill your Cabernet grape wine to 63-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pour the cold wine into a wine decanter to aerate for two hours.
Serve the wine in a large wine glass with a wide rim. This will allow the wine to aerate better and develop all its delicate flavors and aromas fully.
Remember to drink the Cabernet Sauvignon holding the wine glass by its stem to prevent the wine from warming up faster.
What Foods Pair Well With Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon’s dark fruit flavour goes well with grilled meats, peppery sauces, and other rich flavor dishes.
You can even pair a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with charred gruyere (cheese) burger, marinated ribeye steak, or mushroom pizza.
What Wine is Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon?
The wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon are quite similar to wines made from the Merlot grape variety. Even though Merlot wine tends to be softer, both grape varieties:
- Produce dry wines with high alcohol content
- Are native to the Bordeaux wine region
A winemaker may even blend the grape varieties to create a Bordeaux blend wine. The blend usually contains large amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Another famous grape variety similar to Cabernet is Malbec. It produces a full-bodied, dry wine with lots of tannins like Cab Sauv.
Add a Fine Bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to Your Collection
Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine choice if you like a dry, full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors.
If you want a fine Napa Cabernet or a prestigious Cab Sauv bottle from the Bordeaux region, you can always visit the Vinovest website to add a Cabernet Sauvignon red wine to your investment portfolio!
Sign up today to buy, store, and sell your precious Cabernet and any other red wine you like.
