Cabernet Sauvignon (aka "The Steakhouse President")

If red wines were running for office, Cabernet Sauvignon would be the incumbent president with a landslide lead and a fan club made of sommeliers and steak-lovers. It’s the most planted red grape on the planet and for good reasons.

We’re talking full-bodied, bold, and tannic enough to wrestle a ribeye. This grape’s got a thing for oak (don’t we all?) and shows off notes like blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, vanilla, graphite, and even a little green pepper - like a fruit basket met a pencil case and fell in love.

From Bordeaux to Cali, Washington to Tuscany, and all the way down to Chile and South Africa - Cab Sauv gets around. And when it comes to pairing? Beef and lamb better make room, because this wine walks into a dinner party like it owns the charcuterie board.

Tasting Tips

• Give it a little swirl and sniff. Blackberry and cassis will practically run for office in your nose.
• Take your time: the tannins need to stretch their legs, so let it breathe or decant.
• Taste in layers: fruit first, then oak notes like vanilla and tobacco, and finish with that signature earthy pencil-lead kick.
• Pro tip: Pair with fatty foods (steak, lamb, aged cheese) to soften those bold tannins.

Characteristics

• Full-bodied, bold, structured
• High tannins & acidity = excellent aging potential
• Flavors: blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, graphite, green pepper
• Loves oak aging (vanilla, spice, smoke)
• Grown globally - Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany, Chile, South Africa, Washington State
• Perfect with beef, lamb, game, or hard cheeses

Food Pairing Spotlight:

• Grilled Ribeye Steak – tannins cut through fat, making each bite juicier (try a rosemary butter topping for an upgrade).
• Lamb Chops – earthy flavors complement Cab’s dark fruit depth (a mint chimichurri seals the deal).
• Charcuterie Board – hard cheeses, prosciutto, and salami hold their own against Cab’s power (add figs for sweet contrast).
• Mushroom Risotto – earthy, creamy, and surprisingly Cab-friendly (shave truffle on top to impress).
  

🎉 Fun Extra Info

• Nicknamed the “King of Reds”—but secretly, Merlot is its sidekick in Bordeaux blends.
• Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a love child of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (DNA confirmed in 1996). Talk about wine royalty lineage!
• In blind tastings, even expert sommeliers sometimes mistake Cab Sauv for Syrah/Shiraz. Don’t worry, it happens to the best.
• Fun party trick: Point out the green pepper note (caused by pyrazines) and watch your friends look impressed.