Who does not love Cabernet Sauvignon? This full-bodied, yet elegant wine is the most popular wine in the world!
The characteristic Cabernet Sauvignon flavours of black pepper and berry are wonderfully powered by good tannins and high acidity. This lovely combination makes this grape variety a winner. And this week we celebrate National Cabernet Sauvignon Day and thought you should too.
Would you like to see which Cabernets are in our top tier? Well, we've taken the guesswork out of it for you - and listed Our 7 Top Selling Cabernets below! But honestly, it's not about what everyone else thinks - it's what YOU think. So enjoy this discount on ALL our Cabernets and raise a glass to this iconic variety. Cheers!
2020 Black Stallion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £44.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Twelve years after arriving in America, in 1924, Gaspare Indelicato planted a vineyard in Manteca, California. With it, he planted the foundation of his eventual success in the California wine trade. Since that first vineyard flourished, Gaspare’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have honored his legacy through dedication to his steadfast values of family, hard work and integrity.
Tasting Notes
This rich, fruit-forward wine calls for succulent, flavorful dishes such as grilled tenderloin with roasted shallots, creamy blue cheeses, pepper-rubbed pork chops or duck breast with grilled plums.
Notes from James Suckling 92 points
Blackcurrant, clove, walnut and dried lavender on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and precise with dark berries and cocoa on the finish. Try from 2021.
Producer
More than a century ago, Gaspare and Caterina Indelicato immigrated from Sicily to the United States. With little to draw on but a long family history of grape growing and an entrepreneur's gift for seizing opportunity, Gaspare entered the wine trade by planting a single vineyard in Manteca, California, where the climate reminded the couple of their homeland.
Occupying a privileged position at the southern foot of the trail, the winery grounds eventually became the site of the Silverado Western Center, a major equestrian center that opened in September 1963.
The original riding area now houses prized wines, instead of prize-winning horses. However, Black Stallion Estate Winery carries its heritage forward. The estate’s legacy honors the world-class terroir of Napa Valley, the pioneering spirit of the Silverado Trail, and the Indelicato family’s warm hospitality and generations of wine expertise.
Winemaking Philosophy
To make great wine, a winemaker must have a deep familiarity with each lot of freshly pressed juice. At Black Stallion, the search for greatness means boots in the vineyard, checking on vine growth and grape development all year long. It means tasting grapes rather than looking at lab reports to determine the perfect moment to pick. It means harvesting and sorting fruit by hand. Black Stallion Winery’s small scale means that each lot of grapes that arrives at harvest is treated individually, and receives a unique upbringing to bring out its full potential for excellence.
Once crushed at the winery, micro-lots may be fermented in small tanks made of wood, concrete or steel. These choices of aging vessel give winemaker Ralf Holdenried exceptional flexibility to match a batch of grapes with the material best suited to bring out its greatness—key in a region as diverse as Napa Valley.
After fermentation, wine is drained using gravity (not pumps) and aged in the finest oak barrels. The gentle handling of the wine prevents the extraction of harsh components that could impart bitterness.
There’s no set recipe for a Black Stallion blend, just the finely honed palates of winemaker Ralf Holdenried and his team. It’s not uncommon for Holdenried to try dozens of trial blends before deciding on a final cuvée. The goal is always the same: To create a seamless, harmonious wine that captures the varietal’s best expression of that vintage in Napa Valley.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
2017 Mac Forbes 'Hugh' Cabernet Blend
Regular price £66.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Gentlemen (and ladies), grab your Claret, for the game is afoot. Wonderful, sophisticated wine." Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
Mac's much-loved Cabernet blend named in honour of his father. An Australian Bordeaux.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
Mac Forbes believes the Yarra Valley's best wine is, in fact, the Cabernet blend, rather than Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. He's been inspired by the likes of Mount Mary where he worked for many years, and this blend, named after Mac's father Hugh, is every bit the highly fragrant, medium-bodied and elegant style of Bordeaux blend the region is famous for.
The 2016 season in the Yarra Valley brought lovely ripeness to the Cabernet et. al. in this blend and has resulted in one of Mac's best releases of the wine to date. This site offering perhaps a little more 'flesh' on release than previous versions of Hugh. If you like your Cabernet blends in a more subtle and elegant style, this is simply stunning. Only made in tiny quantities and just a pleasure to drink.
The "Hugh" Cabernet Blend
The Bordeaux blend is still arguably the most successful of all grapes or blends from the Yarra Valley. At relatively low alcohols the wines are elegant, perfumed and ripe. While approachable as a young wine – the 2017 Hugh will age gracefully for twenty plus years. In this wine Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety and is complimented by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The Vintage
2017 started slowly and took a more leisurely stroll through to harvest in March. Punctuated with regular rainfall and a moderate warmth, 2017 was a gorgeous season with near-perfect conditions for ripening fruit. Low sugars and higher acids dancing with glorious fruit weight define 2017.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec. |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2030. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 15 months old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Glen, Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2021 Edi Simčič Duet
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
It is reminiscent of blackberries, red cherries and a little of pepper. A wine of medium body and a more complex character of robust reds from the Goriška Brda region holding a soft texture and nice length, it has an ageing potential of up to five years.
Information about Edi Simčič
Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.
Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.
Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.
Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally, the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Love this - a classic Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc & Merlot aged in oak for 30 months. Medium bodied with lots of black & red fruits and a silky smooth finish. Being slightly oxidative means it’s drinking perfectly now but will age for a few years yet. Absolutely delicious! 17/20 "
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Aging |
The wine is composed of the classic Bordeaux varietals Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and matured in oak barrels for 24-30 months to add extra complexity and depth of flavour. |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2028 - no need to decant before serving |
Allergens | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Suitable for all occasions, it can be offered with appetizers and with most main courses. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
2016 Château Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Regular price £22.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A complex and elegant Haut-Médoc, from a good vintage.
Tasting Notes
Drinking beautifully now, this has a classic Médoc cigar box nose, followed by a textured, fleshy, plum fruit and aniseed-scented palate.
Production
From a total of 32 hectares of 30 year old Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot vines, planted on gravelly soils. After harvest, grapes are manually sorted to ensure optimal maturity. Temperature controlled open fermentation in concrete vats, with extended maceration and regular pumping over.
Producer
Château Lanessan has belonged to a succession of eight generations of the Bouteiller family since the 18th century. You might assume such a longstanding family to be traditional and staid, but in fact they are very open and receptive to new influences. In 2009 they employed winemaker Paz Espejo (who came to Bordeaux from her native Spain in the 1990s) to inject new vigour into the estate. Paz’s goal is to “grow excellent fruit while remaining loyal to our fantastic terroir”. Working alongside oeneologist Eric Boissenot and advised by Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus, she has made significant changes in the vineyard and in the cellar that now are being reflected in the quality of the wines.
Sustainability
In 2011, Château Lanessan joined the Environmental Management System launched by the CIVB to promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly viticulture and in 2014, it was certified HVE Level 3.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml (packed in a wooden case) |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & egg fining agents |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | Your Sunday roast of choice: beef, lamb or nut. |
Origin | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Haut-Médoc |
2017 Château Kirwan Les Charmes de Kirwan
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The wine is fresh and fruity with red and black fruit aromas on the nose and an elegant yet firm palate. A fine and elegant wine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
A rich, deep color that immediately announces the tone of the vintage. It appears as a highly concentrated wine.
Nose
The rich, complex nose confirms this impression, with a blend of black fruit and spices such as black pepper, cinnamon and vanilla.
Palate
In the mouth, the attack is at once fresh and profuse. The sense of volume continues mid-palate while velvety tannins gradually develop, giving the wine its body without ever becoming overbearing. Everything is in perfect balance. A few notes of cocoa and coffee complement the broad aromatic palette right up to the prolonged finale, supported by extremely mature tannins.
Charmes de Kirwan is typically a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot and represents a quarter of the total château production. It is the main wine’s “little brother” and is generally made from the fruit of the youngest vines and parcels of the vineyard that are less gravelly, but sandier.
Producer
Introduced in 1993, Les Charmes de Kirwan is the second wine of Château Kirwan, a third growth Margaux property in the commune of Cantenac, which has been owned by the Schyler family since 1925. Today, Jean-Henri Schyler lives in the Château and shares his passion of the terroir with his children Sophie, Nathalie and Yann. Thanks to their efforts alongside winemaker Philippe Delfaut, Château Kirwan has been producing superb wines in recent years.
Awards
- Silver Medal - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 2019
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Food Matches |
Red meat (beef and duck) and then, when it goes older, match it with a filet mignon accompanied with prunes or noble mushrooms. |
Origin |
Margaux |
Appellation | Bordeaux |
2013 Black Stallion Transcendent
Regular price £232.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Twelve years after arriving in America, in 1924, Gaspare Indelicato planted a vineyard in Manteca, California. With it, he planted the foundation of his eventual success in the California wine trade. Since that first vineyard flourished, Gaspare’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have honored his legacy through dedication to his steadfast values of family, hard work and integrity.
Tasting Notes
Our 2013 Transcendent Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of true depth and sophistication. It exhibits pronounced aromas of tobacco, black currant and violet. Flavors of mocha, cassis and allspice intermingle perfectly on the palate. The 2013 Transcendent is a full-bodied wine with the perfect oak to fruit balance, elegant tannins and a long rich finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon from the higher altitude mountain AVAs brings an incredible complexity and elegance to the palate. Atlas Peak has rocky, volcanic soil which allows the grapevines to focus on producing concentrated and flavorful grapes. The grapes sourced from Diamond Mountain’s volcanic soil results in fruit with great structure, texture and black fruit flavors. Howell Mountain has soils that are lean which naturally limits the vigor of the grapevines, concentrating the flavors and contributing to the intensity of the grapes. Mt. Veeder Cabernet adds an ethereal violet note to the blend that lifts and elevates the rich and ripe aromas.
Producer
More than a century ago, Gaspare and Caterina Indelicato immigrated from Sicily to the United States. With little to draw on but a long family history of grapegrowing and an entreprenuer’s gift for seizing opportunity, Gaspare entered the wine trade by planting a single vineyard in Manteca, California, where the climate reminded the couple of their homeland.
Occupying a privileged position at the southern foot of the trail, the winery grounds eventually became the site of the Silverado Western Center, a major equestrian center that opened in September 1963.
The original riding area now houses prized wines, instead of prize-winning horses. However Black Stallion Estate Winery carries its heritage forward. The estate’s legacy honors the world-class terroir of Napa Valley, the pioneering spirit of the Silverado Trail, and the Indelicato family’s warm hospitality and generations of wine expertise.
Winemaking Philosophy
To make great wine, a winemaker must have a deep familiarity with each lot of freshly pressed juice. At Black Stallion, the search for greatness means boots in the vineyard, checking on vine growth and grape development all year long. It means tasting grapes rather than looking at lab reports to determine the perfect moment to pick. It means harvesting and sorting fruit by hand. Black Stallion Winery’s small scale means that each lot of grapes that arrives at harvest is treated individually, and receives a unique upbringing to bring out its full potential for excellence.
Once crushed at the winery, micro-lots may be fermented in small tanks made of wood, concrete or steel. These choices of aging vessel give winemaker Ralf Holdenried exceptional flexibility to match a batch of grapes with the material best suited to bring out its greatness—key in a region as diverse as Napa Valley.
After fermentation, wine is drained using gravity (not pumps) and aged in the finest oak barrels. The gentle handling of the wine prevents the extraction of harsh components that could impart bitterness.
There’s no set recipe for a Black Stallion blend, just the finely honed palates of winemaker Ralf Holdenried and his team. It’s not uncommon for Holdenried to try dozens of trial blends before deciding on a final cuvée. The goal is always the same: To create a seamless, harmonious wine that captures the varietal’s best expression of that vintage in Napa Valley.
Specifications
Year | 2013 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 15.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink between 2023-2028 |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Well suited for beef, lamb, game and poultry dishes, as well as hard and mature cheese. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |