Cabernet Sauvignon buying guide for 2026 

Best Cabernet Sauvignon wines to purchase this month ranked

This month’s selection of best Cabernet Sauvignons includes vibrant bottles from California, Washington, Australia and Chile. You’ll find easy drinking picks like Tomé Red Stake Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 at around $35 alongside standout icons such as Mondavi’s Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 rated at 5/5 for about $550. Every wine in the ranking is chosen for its balance, approachability and strong 90+ critic ratings.

What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? 

Cabernet Sauvignon wine tastes bold and dry with flavors of cassis, black cherries and plum. The name refers to both the grape and the wine, which is full bodied, highly acidic and has grippy tannins. When aged in oak, Cabernet Sauvignon wine develops savory notes of cedar, tobacco and vanilla. 

Quick Facts about Cabernet Sauvignon red wine: 

• Its flavor profile typically features blackcurrant, black cherry, plum and green pepper.
• Its structure is that of a bold and full bodied red wine, high in tannins and acidity. 
• Cabernet Sauvignon is highly age worthy, evolving with time to reveal savory notes of cedar and spices.
• The grape grows in various climates, with Napa Valley producers leaning towards ripe and rich single varietal wines, while Bordeaux winemakers craft restrained expressions blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other grapes. 

Did You Know? International Cabernet Day is celebrated every year the Thursday before Labor day. The event is observed in France, South Africa, USA and Canada. 

Best Cabernet Sauvignon brands from around the world

The best Cabernet Sauvignon brands include winemakers from California, Washington and Australia that produce bold Cabernet and old world producers in Bordeaux and Tuscany who craft Bordeaux red blends and Super Tuscans, respectively. 

The best winemakers for good Cabernet Sauvignon are: 

1. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: a Napa Valley winemaker with mid to high level bottles priced at $100+. Our best bottle is the 2022 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon. 
2. Tenuta San Guido who pioneered the creation of Super Tuscans in Italy. This premium winemaker offers the flagship Sassicaia from $400 and above and our top pick is the Sassicaia 2022.
3. Screaming Eagle: a luxury winemaker of Napa “first growth wines”, with bottles commanding $2000+. The Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is our favorite, rated 5/5 by our tasting panel. 

Here’s a closer look at these celebrated producers:

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – Napa Valley, California, US

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was established in 1970 when Warren Winiarski purchased a 44 acre (18 hectares) block of land in the Stag’s Leap district. His vision was to produce structured and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon wines from grapes grown in the volcanic soil of the area. The winery released its first commercial vintage in 1973, a Cabernet Sauvignon that was entered into the Judgement of Paris in 1976, where it was named the top red wine internationally. This achievement placed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on the winemaking map and established Stag’s Leap’s as a critically acclaimed winery. Today, the winery is owned by Marchesi Antinori and they are famous for their good Cabernet Sauvignons, namely: S.L.V., Fay and Cask 23. 

Tenuta San Guido – Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

In 1968, Tenuta San Guido revolutionized Italian winemaking when the estate released the iconic “Sassicaia”, but the story did not start here. The wine estate was established by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who planted the Bordeaux varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in his stony vineyards and used it to create his personal wines. This went on for 20 years, until his son Nicolò and nephew Piero Antinori convinced him to sell the 1968 vintage commercially, thus creating a new category of wines: the Super Tuscans. These wines defied existing Italian winemaking norms, which dictated the prominent use of Sangiovese grapes. In 1978, a Decanter tasting panel awarded the 1972 Sassicaia first place over 33 wines from 11 countries, expanding its fame worldwide. By 1994, Bolgheri Sassicaia was granted DOC status, the only wine from a single estate in Italy to enjoy this privilege to this day. 

Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards – Napa Valley, California, US

Screaming Eagle is a Napa Valley winery that has achieved “cult” status among oenophiles worldwide. Its story began in 1986 when Jean Phillips, a real estate agent, purchased a 57 acre (23 hectares) vineyard in Oakville. She sold most of it to wineries in Napa Valley, except 1 acre (0.4 hectares) of Cabernet Sauvignon. With Heidi Peterson Barrett as chief winemaker, the winery released the 1992 vintage to highly positive reviews (including 99 points from Robert Parker). With less than 500 cases of this wine produced annually, it is highly sought after by collectors. It once held the record for “most expensive wine ever sold at an auction”, when a 6 liter bottle was sold for $500,000 at the 2000 Napa Valley Charity Auction. Today, Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon remains one of the most celebrated and expensive Napa Valley wines, beloved for its intense fruit, complexity and elegance. It is often referred to as a Napa “premier cru”.

Cabernet Sauvignon wine price broken down

Cabernet Sauvignon wine prices range from $20 for accessible, easy drinking wines to $1000+ for ultra premium collector bottles. 
What influences Cabernet Sauvignon red wine price? 

• Wines from renowned regions like Napa Valley and Bordeaux command premium prices due to their unique terroir and high quality bottlings. 
• The production techniques used in making Cabernet Sauvignon also matter. For instance, bottles that are aged in new oak barrels will cost more than those that are not. 
• The length of bottle aging before release also influences Cabernet wine prices. Bordeaux classified growths are aged for years in the bottle to evolve nuanced tasting notes, thus driving up their costs. 
• Wineries with a high reputation or cult status, such as Opus One or Screaming Eagle, have a higher demand and this leads to higher market prices for their wines. 
• Exceptional vintages and limited production wines are highly sought after by collectors and expensive.  

Cabernet Sauvignon price tiers:

1. Entry Level:  $20–$50, everyday drinking (e.g., Mazzei Philip Cabernet Sauvignon 2021)
2. Mid Tier: $50–$100, special occasions (e.g., Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2022)
3. Premium:  $100–$500, cellar worthy (e.g.,  Beringer Eighth Maker Cabernet Sauvignon 2015)
4. Luxury:  $500+, collectors (e.g., Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021)

Did you know? The most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon ever sold at an auction is a 6 liter bottle of The Setting Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from Glass Slipper Vineyard, which sold for a whopping $1 million in November 2021. 

What is Cabernet Sauvignon and how is it made? 

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most popular full bodied red wine, originally from Bordeaux, France, but now grown in every major wine region. It is made from grapes of the same name and is famously used in Bordeaux’s “Left Bank” blends, Italy’s Super Tuscans and Napa Valley wines. ABV: 13.5%-15.5%.

Cabernet Sauvignon was first identified in southwest France in the 1600s in the Bordeaux region; today its grape is cultivated in every major wine region. 
DNA analysis conducted in the 1900s confirmed that it is the result of a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It is often used in single varietal wines or blended with other Bordeaux varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot to soften its firm structure. 
Cab Sauv is highly tannic, with bold dark fruit, cedar and tobacco flavors and exceptional aging potential. It sometimes displays subtle smells of green bell pepper due to the pyrazines present in the grapes. It is crafted using the general red wine production method and it tastes slightly different depending on where it was made; Bordeaux winemakers craft savory expressions, while New World producers (USA, Australia) craft fruitier wines. 

Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking process includes:

• Harvesting of the late ripening grapes in cool weather, then sorting to remove low quality or damaged berries. 
• The grapes are then transported to the winery, where they are destemmed and crushed into must to release their juices. 
• Maceration: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes remain in contact with the skins for a while to allow the extraction of color, flavor and tannins. 
• Fermentation involves the transformation of grape sugars into alcohol in the presence of yeast. In this phase, the grape skins give the wine its deep color and tannins. 
• Winemakers may punch down or pump over wines to mix the solids that float to the wine’s surface back into the liquid. 
• Aging is significant in Cabernet Sauvignon production, as oak barrels soften its high tannins and add complex notes of vanilla, cedar and spices which complement its natural dark fruit flavors.
• Before bottling, the wine may be blended with other varieties like Merlot or Cabernet Franc, where it contributes a structural backbone and robust tannins.

Some winemakers practice sustainable viticulture, producing organic Cabernet Sauvignon with enhanced taste and rich flavors, untarnished by pesticides or harmful fertilizers. 

Fun Fact: while Cabernet Sauvignon is strictly a red wine grape, Cabernet blanc is a rare white version produced from its cross with the hybrid grape variety, Regent, in Switzerland. 

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown?

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and produced across the world, with iconic and age worthy styles originating in Bordeaux, while Napa Valley winemakers have established themselves as the creators of intense, fruit forward versions. Other notable Cabernet Sauvignon regions are Coonawarra and Margaret Valley in Australia, Tuscany in Italy and Maipo Valley in Chile. 

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is late ripening, thick skinned and small berried, a versatile variety that thrives in diverse climates and soil types, although it performs best in gravelly soils. It is the most widely planted grape variety in the world, with a total vineyard surface area of ~840,000 acres (~340,000 hectares). This is distributed among the top regions as seen below: 

1. France: 123,552 acres (50,000 hectares)
2. USA: ~100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) 
3. China: 148,263 acres (60,000 hectares)
4. Chile: 92,700 acres (37,500 hectares)
5. Australia: 62,000 acres (25,000 hectares)
6. Argentina: 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares)
7. South Africa: 23,000 acres (9,500 hectares)

Cabernet Sauvignon food pairing: from meat to aged cheese 

Grilled ribeye steak, aged cheeses, gourmet burgers and dark chocolate pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon. These savory and high protein dishes soften the wine’s strong tannins and complement its bold structure perfectly. Some of our top Cabernet Sauvignon food pairing recommendations are:

• Grilled red meat and game: ribeye steak, filet mignon, venison and wild boar
• Aged, hard cheeses like Gouda, white cheddar, Parmesan and blue cheese
• Earthy portobello mushrooms, grilled vegetables and mushroom risotto

How to serve and store Cabernet Sauvignon wine 

Cabernet Sauvignon is best served slightly below room temperature in an oversized wine glass to enhance its aromas. After opening a bottle of red wine Cabernet Sauvignon, refrigerate it with a stopper to keep the wine from going bad. 

Here are our tips to serve and store Cabernet Sauvignon properly: 

• Store bottles lying horizontally in a dark place with consistently cool temperature and moderate humidity. 
• Pour at a serving temperature between 60-65°F (15-18°C). If it is too warm, the wine tastes flabby; if it is too cold, the flavors become muted. 
• Decant young and bold Cabernet Sauvignons for 1-2 hours to soften harsh tannins. 
• As for aged wines, letting it sit for about 30 minutes is enough to open up the flavors. 
• Re seal opened bottles with a wine stopper or vacuum pump and refrigerate to slow down oxidation. 

Pro tip: do not leave an open bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for more than a few hours, as this can alter the taste and aromas of the wine, a process known as oxidation.  

What type of Cabernet Sauvignon glasses should you use? 

Cabernet Sauvignon serving glasses are large, tall red wine glasses with a generous bowl and a slightly tapered rim, often referred to as Bordeaux glasses. This specific shape is designed to maximise aeration, soften high tannins and concentrate complex aromas in Cabernet Sauvignon red wine. Our top recommendations include: 

In addition to Bordeaux style glasses for robust reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, you can find other types of red wine glasses for medium and light bodied red wines in our guide. 

Cabernet Sauvignon for beginners 

Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and high in alcohol with intense flavors, but with the following tips, even beginners can savor it like a connoisseur. 

1. Start with a Cabernet Blend, which is often smoother and more approachable. 
2. Open the bottle 1-2 hours before drinking, or pour it into a decanter to improve the flavor. 
3. Do not serve it hot. A cool room temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) is best!
4. Serve it in a large bowl Bordeaux style glass that allows the wine to breathe
5. Pair Cabernet Sauvignon with fatty, savory food like grilled red meats and aged cheese that balances its intensity

Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and high in alcohol with intense flavors, but with the following tips, even beginners can savor it like a connoisseur. 

How we rate and score Cabernet Sauvignon 

Our editorial team rates wines based on their appearance, aroma/bouquet, flavor/palate and overall impression on the palate, assigning scores based on a 5 point scale. We have walked the vineyards, sat in the rooms where these Cabernet Sauvignons are produced and blind tasted scores of bottles to bring you the best without any bias. Our expert panel rates each wine over a total of 50 points, which is then converted to the simple 5 point scale that we present to you. 

The 5 point rating scale can be interpreted as:

• 5 = Exceptional
• 4 = Excellent
• 3 = Very Good
• 2 = Good
• 1 = Fair

What exactly do we look for?

• Appearance (up to 5 pts): clarity, color, brightness
• Aroma & Bouquet (up to 15 pts): intensity, complexity, absence of flaws
• Flavor & Palate (up to 20 pts): balance of acidity, tannin, alcohol; depth, mouthfeel
• Overall Impression (up to 10 pts): harmony, complexity, typicity, finish

To assess the Cabernet Sauvignon wines specifically, we considered: 

• Complex aromas of dark fruits, oak driven cedar and vanilla (New World) vs earthiness and herbal notes like green bell pepper (Old World)
• Structure: firm yet smooth tannins, full body and high acidity
• Finish: a lingering finish that doesn’t leave a bitter taste is an indicator of quality

To keep our ratings fair and context appropriate, we compared bottles against others in their category. We rated New World Cabernet Sauvignon against its peers, Bordeaux red blends to other premium left bank bottlings and Super Tuscan wines to other Toscana blends. 

A note from our team: when it comes to drinking Cabernet Sauvignon, preferences are determined by personal taste and our scores reflect the subjective opinions and palate of our tasting panel. To find the bottles that you will enjoy the most, we recommend that you read our tasting notes.

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