The big, bold red grape, cabernet sauvignon is found practically anywhere there are vineyards (or that isn’t particularly cool).  Known for aging well due to the rich tannic nature, cabernet sauvignon produces robust, full bodied wines.  Typically, cabernet gets the descriptor black currant [cassis] associated with it, but it also frequently contains flavors of blackberry, mint, leather, and cedar.  Due to oak aging, it frequently picks up vanilla or smoke flavors as well.

Due to the high tannins, many cabernet sauvignons are either blended with other grapes, or aged to mellow the nature of the tannins, and soften the wine.  While cabernet sauvignon can be good young, it can also be very much like a person learning how to dance, ungraceful, uncertain, to eager to move, and just trying to repeat the motions.  Many times though, with years passing, this leads to an elegant and balanced wine, with many complexities to enjoy.

Color: Red
Style: Dry, aged in oak.
Notable Growing Locations: Australia, California, Chile, France: Bordeaux / Languedoc-Roussillon, Italy: Tre Venezie / Tuscany, New York: Long Island, South Africa, New Zealand.