Calories in Cabernet Sauvignon: Full Guide (2026)
Quick answer: A standard 5 oz (148ml) glass of Cabernet Sauvignon has approximately 122 calories — translating to about 610 calories in a 750ml bottle. Barefoot Cab runs 122 cal/glass; Stag's Leap Napa is around 125; high-ABV Napa Reserves can reach 130–140. ABV is the dominant variable.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most planted red grape variety — the basis of Bordeaux First Growths, Napa Valley cult wines, and affordable everyday bottles from Chile and Australia. Because it is a dry wine with negligible residual sugar, its calorie count is straightforward and consistent: almost entirely driven by alcohol.
This guide gives you precise calorie figures for Cabernet Sauvignon across every major region and brand, the nutritional facts per glass, how it compares to other wines, and practical strategies for lower-calorie drinking without giving up a wine you enjoy.
Further reading
- Discover the Calorie Content In Red Wine and Its Health Benefits.
- Also, find some great Low Calorie Wine Recommendations Here.
Cabernet Sauvignon Calories and Nutrition Facts
A standard pour of Cabernet Sauvignon with 9–15% ABV has around 80–130 calories. Here is the nutritional value in a standard 5 oz (147ml) glass of Cabernet Sauvignon:
| Nutrient |
Per 5 oz Glass |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~122 |
| Total carbohydrate | 3.8g |
| Dietary fiber | 0g |
| Sugar (residual) | ~0–1g |
| Protein | 0.1g |
| Sodium | ~0mg |
| Potassium | ~187mg |
| Saturated fat | 0g |
| ABV range | 9–15% |
Calories per Glass: Popular Cab Sauv Brands
Here is the calorie content (per 5 oz glass) of some popular Cabernet Sauvignons, based on their ABV:
|
Brand / Label | Region | ABV |
Calories per 5 oz Glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon | California, USA | 13% | ~122 cal |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis | Napa Valley, USA | 14.5% | ~125–132 cal |
| Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet | Washington, USA | 13.5% | ~130 cal |
| Mind and Body Cabernet | California, USA | ~8% | ~90 cal |
| Klean Cabernet Sauvignon | California, USA | ~8% | ~85 cal |
| Robert Mondavi Private Selection | California | 13.5% | ~124 cal |
| Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cab | California | 13.5% | ~124 cal |
| Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon | Sonoma, CA | 13.5% | ~124 cal |
| Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Cab | Maipo Valley, Chile | 14% | ~128 cal |
| Château Léoville-Barton | Saint-Julien, Bordeaux | 13.5% | ~124 cal |
| Opus One | Napa Valley | 14.5% | ~132 cal |
Where Do Calories in Cabernet Sauvignon Come From?
Alcohol and sugar are the two sources of calories in Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Here is how they affect the calorie count:
- [object Object] During fermentation, yeast feeds on the sugar from grape juice and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. If winemakers stop fermentation early, leftover residual sugar adds calories at 4 calories per gram. However, Cabernet Sauvignon is a fully fermented dry wine — sugar is typically below 1g/glass.
- [object Object] Each gram of pure alcohol has 7 calories — almost double the 4 calories per gram of sugar. Because Cabernet is dry, virtually all its calories come from alcohol. Higher ABV = more calories, with no exceptions.
The practical implication: A sweeter, low-alcohol Cab may technically have fewer calories than a bone-dry high-alcohol one. Mind and Body California Cab at 8% ABV has just 90 calories per glass, even though it has more residual sweetness than a dry 13.5% Cabernet.
If you are on a low-calorie diet, opt for a medium-bodied Cabernet with lower alcohol — aim for ABV around 12–13% where possible.
Cabernet Sauvignon Calories by Region
The biggest calorie variable in Cabernet Sauvignon is growing region, because climate determines grape ripeness and therefore ABV:
| Region | ABV Range |
Calories per 5 oz Glass | Style Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux Left Bank (Médoc, Pessac) | 12.5–13.5% | ~118–124 cal | Structured, earthy, cedar — France's coolest-climate Cab |
| Chilean Cabernet (Maipo Valley) | 13–14% | ~120–128 cal | Fruit-forward, accessible, great value |
| Washington State Cabernet | 13.5–14% | ~124–128 cal | Dark-fruited, structured, food-friendly |
| Standard California Cabernet | 13.5–14% | ~122–128 cal | Balanced, fruit-forward, widely available |
| Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 14–15% | ~128–140 cal | Bold, rich, oaked, full-bodied |
| Napa Valley Reserve / Cult Cab | 14.5–15.5%+ | ~132–145 cal | Concentrated, structured, investment-grade |
Calories in a Bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon
A standard 750ml bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon contains approximately 5 glasses at 5 oz each (147ml per glass). Most bottles therefore total approximately 610 calories — comparable to a full mid-size fast food meal. Here is the breakdown by style:
|
Cabernet Style |
Calories per Glass |
Total Bottle Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux / lighter Cab (13%) | ~118–124 cal | ~590–620 cal |
| Standard California / Chilean (13.5–14%) | ~122–128 cal | ~610–640 cal |
| Napa Valley Cabernet (14.5%) | ~130–138 cal | ~650–690 cal |
| High-ABV Reserve Cab (15%+) | ~135–145 cal | ~675–725 cal |
Other Low-Calorie Wine Options
If you are looking to cut down on your calorie intake, here are some useful facts about wine calories:
- A dry wine has fewer calories than sweet wine
- A glass of white wine usually has slightly lower calories than red wine of the same ABV
- Dry sparkling wines like Brut Champagne have the least calories of any wine style
Here are some of the best wine styles (with their average calorie count per 5 oz glass) you can choose if you are watching your intake:
| Wine Style |
Calories per 5 oz Glass | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinot Noir (Oregon/Burgundy) | ~120 cal | Low tannin, lower ABV, lighter body |
| Pinot Grigio | ~122 cal | Crisp dry white, very consistent |
| Chardonnay (unoaked) | ~118–122 cal | Lightest Chardonnay style |
| Sauvignon Blanc | ~119 cal | Consistently light and dry |
| Chenin Blanc (dry) | ~120 cal | Underrated low-calorie white |
| Brut Champagne | ~95 cal | Lowest calorie mainstream wine |
| Prosecco Brut | ~90 cal | Light, celebratory, low-cal |
| Dry Sangiovese Rosé | ~126 cal | Food-friendly pink wine |
| Dry Syrah Rosé | ~122 cal | Good everyday choice |
| Cabernet Sauvignon (standard) | ~122 cal | Dry, low-sugar, diet-friendly |
Note: If you are on a calorie-controlled diet, avoid fortified wine styles such as Port wine and dessert wines. They have higher sugar content and significantly more calories than other wines, particularly per serving volume.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Keto / Low-Carb Diets
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most keto-compatible red wines available. As a fully fermented dry wine, residual sugar is typically 0–3g/L — approximately 3.8g total carbohydrates per 5 oz glass. This fits comfortably within most ketogenic daily carb budgets of 20–30g.
For the lowest-calorie, lowest-carb Cabernet:
- Choose Bordeaux Left Bank or Chilean Cab at 12.5–13.5% ABV over Napa Valley at 14.5%+
- Look for 'reduced calorie' labels (Mind and Body, Klean) if calorie minimisation is the priority
- Avoid Reserve, Ultra-Premium, or California Cult Cab designations, which routinely exceed 14.5%
Investment-Grade Cabernet Sauvignon
Some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons are also genuinely investment-grade. Their quality, scarcity, and global collector demand have driven consistent secondary market appreciation:
- ~850 cases/year; secondary market $3,500–$15,000+/bottle depending on vintage
- Mondavi × Mouton-Rothschild joint venture; strong global brand recognition and consistent secondary market liquidity
- Most structured and age-worthy First Growth; 2010 and 2015 vintages are considered blue-chip investment bottles
- Italy's most prestigious Cab-based wine; the Super Tuscan benchmark; 2016 vintage delivered exceptional critical scores
To explore investment-grade Cabernet Sauvignon including bottles from Stags Leap, Napa Valley, and other premium expressions, Vinovest provides managed portfolio access with professional storage, authentication, and portfolio tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories in a 5 oz glass of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Approximately 122 calories for a standard Cabernet at 13% ABV — this is the figure for Barefoot Cab and most mid-range California expressions. Napa Valley Cabs at 14.5%+ run 130–140 cal. Lighter Bordeaux expressions at 12.5–13% are closer to 118–124 cal.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon high in calories?
Not especially. At 120–130 calories per 5 oz glass, it is comparable to a medium-sized apple and lower than a 12 oz beer. Its calories come almost entirely from alcohol rather than sugar — it is not high in carbohydrates.
How many carbs are in Cabernet Sauvignon?
Approximately 3.8g total carbohydrates per 5 oz glass — almost all from trace residual sugar and glycerol. Cabernet Sauvignon is fully fermented and bone dry, making it one of the best red wine choices for keto and low-carb diets.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon diet-friendly?
Yes — most Cabernets are considered low-calorie wines, making them a good choice for those looking to reduce wine calorie intake. Stay with mid-range expressions at 13–13.5% ABV and keep pours to 5 oz rather than 6–7 oz. Avoid late-harvest, Reserve, or cult Napa expressions if calories are the priority.
Does Cabernet Sauvignon have more calories than white wine?
At comparable ABV, no — the calories are nearly identical. A 13% Cabernet and a 13% Chardonnay have virtually identical calorie counts (~122 vs ~123 cal). The perception that red wine is more calorie-dense than white is largely a myth for moderate-ABV dry wines. The real variable is ABV, not colour.
Last updated: May 2026 | Vinovest editorial team | Brand calorie data sourced from Expert Wine Storage UK, Taste of Purple, and the original Vinovest Cabernet Sauvignon calories post
