Popular Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Brands and Food Pairing Ideas

The origin of Cabernet Sauvignon is rooted in the Bordeaux region of France, in the Médoc area. Famous for its deep maroon hue, concentrated flavours, and excellent ageing potential, the popular wine was created by combining two grape varieties: cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc.

Elegant, dark and complex, Australian cab sauv is a stalwart style celebrated the world over. Coonawarra, Margaret River, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Barossa Valley and the Yarra Valley are all well-known Australian regions producing quality award-winning cab sauv. Typically expressing notes of blackcurrant, plum, black cherry, and sometimes herbal, spicy, or earthy nuances.

Cabernet sauvignon exhibits versatility across many unique climates and terroirs and is an excellent choice for blending with other grape varieties. A perfect example is the Bordeaux blend, one of the most duplicated styles around the world. It includes cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, malbec and a hint of carménère. It's turned the heads of many connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts spanning generations. Closer to home, a popular cab sauv blend is with shiraz, described as Australia's archetypal red wine blend.

A medium to full bodied dry red wine, cab sauv is grown the world over thanks to its thick skin and hardy vines. Produced from dark blue/black coloured grapes, quality cab sauv are wines of power and refinement. Complex tannin frameworks allow cab sauv notes of subtle smokiness, spice and fruity richness to shine.

Here is a quick breakdown of the various aromas and flavours that can be found in cab sauv wines:

Fruity Notes: Blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, plums, cassis.

Herbal Notes: Hints of mint, eucalyptus, green capsicum, sage, tobacco leaf aromas in aged cab sauv, cedar, cigar box.

Earthy Notes: Graphite, soil, ash.

Spices: Black pepper, clove, vanilla.

Here's our top picks to help you navigate the wonderful world of cab sauv wines:

1. St Hugo

Synonymous with excellence, St Hugo’s award-winning wines hail from the Coonawarra and Barossa regions. This is an elegant kaleidoscope of dark fruits and spices and a must try cab sauv.

2. Penfolds

The iconic red label needs little introduction. A beautiful balance of flavours with dark fruits, spice and savoury notes. Add this to your cart.

3. Taylors

A popular cab sauv from Clare Valley in South Australia. Think black currants, sweet spices and light oak flavours.

4. Jacob's Creek

With its complex palate and delicious toasty characters, this medium to full bodied cab sauv will win your heart.

5. Cat Amongst The Pigeons

Well-known for its great price point, dark berry fruit characters and hint of spice, this Barossa Cab is the puurfect choice for your next gathering.

6. Chapel Hill

If complex flavours of plum, spice, blackberry, vanilla and licorice excite you, then we think you’ve met your cab sauv match with this one.

7. Riddoch

Overflowing with amazing fragrances and flavours; think vanilla and eucalypt aromas, with spicy plum, dark berries and chocolate on the palate.

8. Grant Burge

With its inky purple colour, jammy dark fruit perfume and mouth filling burst of flavours, this cab is balanced and bold.

9. Farm Hand

Vegan-friendly and organic, this award-winning cab sauv is known for its careful and sustainable production methods. Loaded with blackcurrant, olive, and mulberry flavours and subtle notes of mocha oak and tobacco, this is a must for cab fans.

Although cab sauv originated in France, its popularity gradually extended beyond Bordeaux to become one of Australia's most produced and beloved wines. Australian cab sauv are internationally celebrated wines of elegance, quality and nuance.

Here are the most famous cab sauv wine regions in Australia:

1. Coonawarra: Famous for its rich terra-rossa soil, Connawarra’s maritime ripening conditions and vine vigour craft incredible cab sauv wines.
2. Margaret River: In Western Australia, along the southwest coast, Margaret River's maritime climate and moderate temperature forge delicious cab sauv of refinement and style.
3. Barossa Valley: Located in South Australia, the Barossa boasts warm temperatures and diverse soils reflected in their award-winning cabernet sauvignon wines.
4. Clare Valley: The warm days yet plummeting evening temperatures of the Clare Valley craft juicy cab sauv wines of generosity and grace.
5. McLaren Vale: A region in the south of Adelaide in South Australia, McLaren Vale produces flavourful rich cab sauv thanks to their maritime and mediterranean climates.