Editor's choiceSouth Australia
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2023
Often called 'Baby Grange' — Cabernet's structure layered with Shiraz's plush fruit. One of the most consistently great age-worthy reds at this price.
View on Wine.comRed wine· Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Chile
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of bold reds: rich, structured, and built to age. Expect dark fruit like blackcurrant and blackberry, layered with notes of cedar, tobacco, and a firm tannic grip.
At a glance
The breakdown
Everything that shapes how Cabernet Sauvignon tastes, in plain language.
Fruit
01Concentrated dark fruit, especially blackcurrant — a flavor often called 'cassis'.
Body
02Full
Acidity
03Medium-High
Tannins
04High
Flavor profile
- Blackcurrant (cassis)
- Black cherry and blackberry
- Cedar and tobacco
- Vanilla and baking spice
- Firm, grippy tannins
Who will like it
Lovers of bold, structured reds who enjoy wine with a serious backbone.
On the nose
Common aromas
Smell these in your glass? You're probably tasting Cabernet Sauvignon.
BlackcurrantBlackberryCedarVanillaTobaccoBell pepper
In plain English
“If Malbec is a hug, Cabernet is a handshake. It's bigger, firmer, and has more grip — that drying feeling on your gums is the tannin. Pair it with fatty food and watch it transform.”
At the table
Food pairings
Cabernet Sauvignon works best with these foods.
- 01Ribeye and prime rib
- 02Lamb chops
- 03Hard aged cheeses
- 04Grilled portobello mushrooms
- 05Dark chocolate desserts
Useful gear
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The cellar
Bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon we recommend
Hand-picked bottles from across the price spectrum — from approachable everyday pours to occasion-worthy splurges. Links go to Wine.com; we may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
Premium pickHowell Mountain · Napa
Ink Grade Howell Mountain Cabernet 2018
Biodynamic, mountain-grown Napa Cab with serious tension — graphite, black currant, and tannins that demand a steak or another decade in the cellar.
View on Wine.comBeyond the page
Don't just read about Cabernet Sauvignon. Taste it.
Corkly's AI sommelier guides you through every sip — pointing out aromas, explaining the texture, and helping you put words to what you're tasting. Build your palate one wine at a time.
- 01Conversational tasting tailored to Cabernet Sauvignon
- 02Save tasting notes you'll actually understand later
- 03Track your palate growth over time
- 04Never forget a wine you loved
Adjacent
Similar wines
If you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, these are worth exploring next.
Malbec
Malbec is a juicy, full-bodied red wine bursting with dark fruit and a smooth, plummy finish. Think blackberry jam meets a hint of cocoa, with soft tannins that make it approachable from the first sip.
Merlot
Merlot is the smoothest big red — soft, plummy, and easy to drink with no rough edges. It's everything you love about Cabernet, with the volume turned down a notch.
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah (called Shiraz in Australia) is bold, peppery, and unmistakable. Expect dark fruit, smoked meat, and a signature kick of cracked black pepper that sets it apart from every other red.
A natural next step
If you liked Cabernet Sauvignon, try…
Napa Cabernet
Napa Valley Cabernet is the New World benchmark — opulent, powerful, and polished. Expect ripe blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and lavish oak, all wrapped in plush, mouth-coating tannins.
Rioja
Rioja is Spain's most famous red wine region, best known for Tempranillo blends. Expect savory cherry, dried fig, and signature notes of vanilla, dill, and coconut from American oak aging.
Chianti
Chianti is Tuscany's signature red, made primarily from Sangiovese. It's bright, savory, and built for food — think tart cherry, tomato leaf, and a refreshing acidity that begs for pasta.
In the wild
Where to find this wine
Found nearly everywhere. Napa Valley delivers ripe, opulent versions; Bordeaux offers more restraint; Chile is great value.
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The closing pour
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