Cabernet Sauvignon tasting notes: a worked example
See what a structured Cabernet Sauvignon tasting note looks like, line by line, then fill in the blank sheet for the bottle in your glass.
A Cabernet Sauvignon tasting note, line by line
This is a worked example of how a note can read for the typical style of the grape. It is not a review of one bottle. Your wine will differ, so write what you find.
| Line of the note | What a typical Cabernet Sauvignon note says |
|---|---|
| Appearance Depth of colour | Deep. Decanter describes the grape as deep-coloured. |
| Nose Fruit | Black currant and black cherry. Blackcurrant becomes cassis when very concentrated. |
| Nose Other | Cedar, baking spices and graphite. Oak adds vanilla, tobacco and coffee. Mint or eucalyptus often shows in California and Chile. |
| Nose Less ripe wines | Green pepper (capsicum) and grassy notes. |
| Palate Acidity | Medium-high. |
| Palate Tannin | Medium-high. Decanter calls the tannins assertive. |
| Palate Body | Full. |
| Palate Alcohol | Usually 13.5 to 15% ABV. Check the label. |
| Conclusions Where it is from | Bordeaux in France is where it began, as a natural cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The Médoc usually blends it with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. California, Australia, Chile and Tuscany are also known for it. |
The same note in two sentences
Deep colour. Black currant and cedar on the nose, with graphite and a little vanilla. Full body, medium-high tannin and medium-high acidity. Structured and dry, with the grip to age.
What to look for
- Judge the tannin carefully. It is the grape's signature, so ask where you feel the grip and how long it lasts.
- Green pepper and grass point to less ripe fruit. Black currant and cassis point to riper fruit.
- A Bordeaux-style bottle is usually a blend, so the label and the note may not match the single-grape description. Check what is in the bottle.
Now write your own
Fill this in for the bottle in front of you. It saves on your device only. Nothing is sent to us.
Questions
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Typically black currant and black cherry, with cedar, baking spices and graphite. It is dry and full-bodied, with medium-high tannin and acidity.
Where does Cabernet Sauvignon come from?
Bordeaux, France. Wine Folly describes it as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Decanter says it performs best in the warm, gravelly soils of the Médoc.
How do I write a Cabernet Sauvignon tasting note?
Work in the same order every time: look, nose, palate, then your conclusions. Note the depth of colour, name the dark fruit, then rate tannin, acidity and body. The blank sheet on this page follows that order.
Sources
The typical aromas, structure and regions above come from these grape guides.