The Wide World of Cabernet Sauvignon
It's easily the wine world's most famous red grape, and while most wine lovers have a general conception of what constitutes a "typical" Cabernet, a deep dive into the history and diversity of this incredible varietal quickly reveals that there's no such thing as typical Cab. From Bordeaux to Napa to the farthest reaches of the Southern Hemisphere, Cab thrives and offers wine enthusiasts nearly unlimited opportunities for exploration, so we invite you to join us a trip around the wide world of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bordeaux: The Roots of Cabernet's Rise to Fame
Napa Valley: Incredible Diversity in a Small Space
Australia: A Long, Often Hidden Cabernet History
Around the World: Cabernet in Unexpected Places
When It Comes to Cabernet, Bordeaux Is King
Clyde Beffa, K&L Bordeaux Buyer
There's no other natural starting point on a discussion of Cabernet Sauvignon than it's ancestral home, Bordeaux. Over many decades of collecting the world's finest Bordeaux, I've come to realize that even though the greatest expressions are made from this noble grape, Cabernet loves its companions. Centuries of winemaking expertise have allowed the Bordelaise to master the art of blending, which in paradoxical fashion only lets the best features of Cabernet Sauvignon shine all the brighter. Below you'll find some of my current favorite new arrivals, plus a few cellar gems that just keep on delivering as the years go by. Read more.
2006 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc 92 $59.99 View
2010 Poujeaux, Moulis (1.5L) 93 $119.99 View
2016 Lafon-Rochet, St-Estèphe (1.5L) 95 $119.99 View
2009 Ferriere, Margaux 93 $89.99 View
1999 Gruaud Larose, St-Julien 90 $134.99 View
2010 d'Issan, Margaux 96 $139.99 View
2017 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac 95 $249.99 View
2020 La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan (Elsewhere $400)100 $339.99 View
A Renewed Excitement for Napa Valley Cabernet
Ryan Woodhouse, K&L Domestic Buyer
Because of its relatively small size, Napa Valley might seem like an easy place to wrap your mind around, but ever since I relocated my home and family here in 2022, I've truly discovered that nothing could be further from the truth. From the wildly divergent temperature swings running north, to south to the incredible diversity of soil types, to the various slope aspects on the east and west benches, the valley's incredibly diverse geography and topography create nearly endless possibilities for the noble Cabernet grape. With more and more outstanding examples being crafted every year, it's becoming ever more apparent that you can truly be a lifelong student of Napa Valley Cabernet. Read more.
2018 Farella "Estate" Coombsville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Previously $70) 94 $59.99 View
2020 Localism Wines Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon $74.95 View
2021 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $49.95 View
2019 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Proprietary Red (Elsewhere $48) 95 $39.95 View
2020 Trefethen Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon 93 $59.95 View
2019 Mayacamas Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $184.95 View
2021 Grounded Wine Co. "Steady State" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 94 $59.95 View
2019 Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $124.95 View
2018 Planetary Estate "Polaris" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Previously $68) $29.99 View
2021 Nickel & Nickel "State Ranch" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $99.95 View
2019 Ad Vivum "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $199.95 View
2021 Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 94 $49.95 View
2021 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $119.95 View
2019 Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $74.95 View
2019 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon $99.95 View
Robert Mondavi "Reserve - To Kalon Vineyard" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2013-2014-2015 Library Release Vertical 6-Pack in OWC 96 $1,200.00 View
2021 Turnbull "Reserve" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $99.95 View
2016 Buselli Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $150) $99.95 View
2021 Chappellet "Signature" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $89.95 View
2019 Beaulieu Vineyard "Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $64.95 View
2019 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 100 $149.95 View
2018 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $79.95 View
2018 Freemark Abbey "Bosche Vineyard" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $169.95 View
2020 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $124.95 View
2019 Anthem "Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard" St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $149.95 View
2020 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 100 $259.99 View
2019 Crowley Vineyard "Estate" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $110) 95 $79.95 View
2019 Keenan "Mernet" Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red 96 $109.95 View
2019 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $199.00 View
2019 Robert Craig "Estate" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $99.95 View
2021 Thread Feathers Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $80) $39.95 View
2019 Chateau Montelena "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 99 $184.95 View
Cabernet Down Under
Thomas Smith, K&L Australia Buyer
We all know Shiraz is Australia's banner grape varietal, but they've got an equally long and compelling history Down Under with Cabernet Sauvignon. With some of the oldest Cab vines in the world (Penfolds' Kalimna Block 42 dates to 1888, for example), the Aussies know a thing or two about this grape. Today, I'm highlighting some of my personal favorite, under-the-radar gems that should have everyone looking beyond Shiraz for their next great Australian discovery. McLaren Vale's Coriole, Margaret River's Evans & Tate, and Yarra Valley's Yarra Yering all craft exceptional, true-to-place expressions that could come from nowhere else. Read more.
2021 Coriole "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale South Australia 92 $19.99 View
2018 Evans & Tate "Redbrook Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 97 $44.99 View
2019 Evans & Tate "Single Vineyard" Cabernets Margaret River 94 $24.99 View
2017 Yarra Yering "Agincourt" Bordeaux Blend Yarra Valley 96 $84.99 View
Around the World with Cabernet
Kerry Kirkham, K&L Editor
Although Cabernet Sauvignon's roots and lineage are distinctly French, it's truly become a global varietal over the course of the last century. While you're likely well-familiar with the classics from Napa and Bordeaux, we make a serious effort at K&L to highlight the wonderful breadth of expressions found all over the world, each conveying their origins in their own particular fashion but never straying too far from their roots. Read more.
2019 Ferrero "Pepita" Rosso di Toscana $14.99 View
2021 Minimalist Wines "Experimental Noir" Cabernet Sauvignon Western Cape South Africa $24.99 View
2019 Garage Wine Company "Reelegido Vineyard - Lot 111" Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 94 $38.99 View
2019 Wines of Substance "Cs" Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 92 $13.95 View
2021 Mac & Billy Cellars 'M' Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $24.99 View