Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most recognised red grape for a reason: it carries itself with structure, depth, and a kind of quiet authority. Born in Bordeaux but now grown in almost every great wine region, it thrives in warm, sunny climates where its thick skins and naturally high tannins can fully ripen. The flavours are unmistakable: blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, graphite, and a cool streak of mint or eucalyptus, depending on where it’s grown. In cooler sites, it leans savoury and elegant; in warmer zones, it becomes richer and more opulent, but always with that firm backbone of acidity and tannin that defines its character.

What makes Cabernet Sauvignon so enduring is its ability to age and evolve. Young examples can be muscular and bold, often shaped by time in oak that adds layers of spice, tobacco, and chocolate. With age, the structure mellows and the flavours deepen into dried fruit, cigar box, leather, and earth, complexity wrapped in effortless harmony. Whether it’s the polished grandeur of Napa, the classic poise of Bordeaux, or the lithe, herb-tinged expressions from Chile, South Africa, and Australia, Cabernet remains the benchmark red, powerful yet precise, timeless yet endlessly expressive.