Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted and revered red wine grapes in the world, known for producing powerful, structured wines with deep color, firm tannins, and excellent aging potential. Originating in Bordeaux from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it is the backbone of many of the world’s greatest wines, particularly in the Left Bank of Bordeaux where it is blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Its thick skins and resistance to disease make it adaptable to a wide range of climates, and it has found great success in California’s Napa Valley, Chile’s Maipo Valley, Australia’s Coonawarra, and beyond. Cabernet Sauvignon typically shows flavors of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, tobacco, and graphite, often with noticeable oak influence when barrel aged. It thrives in well-drained, gravelly soil and benefits from warm days and cool nights, which help preserve acidity and complexity. Its bold character and ability to evolve for decades in bottle have made it a benchmark for collectors, winemakers, and consumers alike, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most iconic and age-worthy wine grapes.