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A modern Australian classic
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most planted winegrape variety and it is the third most crushed variety in Australia, behind Shiraz and Chardonnay, accounting for around 15 per cent of the national crush.
It is grown in most regions in Australia, from the warm inland regions like the Riverland to the cool regions of South Australia’s Limestone Coast and the temperate Margaret River.
It is commonly blended with Shiraz and/or Merlot, and is central to the classic Bordeaux wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Sauvignon Variety Snapshot 2023-24
Variety snapshots are one-page profiles of individual Australian winegrape varieties and provide at-a-glance summary statistics on: viticulture data, winegrape production, winegrape price, key producing regions and export sales data compared against the same statistics for all wine grape varieties.
Download nowIn the vineyard
- Originating in the Gironde in south west France, Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Very old Cabernet Sauvignon vines exist in Langhorne Creek and Barossa.
- Not a particularly adaptable variety. It prefers moderately warm climates – a mild maritime climate is ideal.
- Thrives on well drained soils – especially gravel based soils in Margaret River and classic terra rossa soils of Coonawarra.
In the winery
- Quite traditional vinification approaches
- Pre-fermentation cold maceration techniques are used
- Pump-overs and use of header boards common for colour, flavour and tannin extraction
- 1–3 week post-fermentation maceration depending on producer
- New French oak common for maturation
- Long maturation in oak quite common for 12–24 months
Major regional expressions
Barossa Valley
- Rich, ripe opulent wines
- Performs best in the cooler sites and cooler vintages
- Sometimes blended with Shiraz
Coonawarra
- Medium to full-bodied wines with concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, mulberry and plum
- Typically firm tannins without being astringent or hard
- Coonawarra Cabernet has the capacity to age gracefully for decades
Langhorne Creek
- Full-bodied rich flavourful wines with soft tannins and ripe black fruit flavours
- Typically blended with Shiraz to make the signature red wine style of Langhorne Creek
Margaret River
- Medium to full-bodied wines with classic blackcurrant, cedar and violet characteristics
- Often blended with Merlot
McLaren Vale
- Full-bodied, rich wines with ripe berry and chocolate characteristics
- Can be quite age worthy especially in cooler vintages
In the glass
Style and character
Pairs with
Lamb, beef, darker game meats, braised red meat dishes, firm cheeses.