With a legacy as rich as the soil that nurtures its vines, Cabernet Sauvignon stands an international aristocrat amongst grape varieties, gaining the utmost respect from connoisseurs and wine lovers alike.
The grape variety thrives in a multitude of climates and regions, making it a global ambassador of fine red wines which intertwine history, terroir, and craftsmanship.
From famed Bordeaux to the sun-kissed Napa Valley, its signature notes of blackcurrant, plum, and hints of herbaceousness carry a sense of place with each sip.
Scroll down to see 20 top-scoring Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines from DWWA 2023
In this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, Australia was the frontrunner for top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon with 10 varietal wines achieving 95+ points.
Margaret River in Western Australia proved the leader with seven Gold medals for its expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and one Best in Show awarded to Evans & Tate, Redbrook Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.
New World Cabernet Sauvignon wines impressed at DWWA 2023 with South Africa second in the top charts – Stellenbosch receiving the majority of medals. Proudly receiving one of the competition’s 50 Best in Show medals, and scoring 97 points, Le Riche Wines, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 from Stellenbosch exhibits a perfect combination of weight, muscle and energy in the mouth with a clean and fresh finish.
When mentioning Cabernet Sauvignon, France is not to be forgotten, and it certainly wasn’t at DWWA 2023 with two outstanding Bordeaux blends from the Left Bank awarded Best in Show and Platinum medals, alongside a handful of Golds.
On the Best in Show winning wine from Pessac-Léognan, Château De Rochemorin 2020, judges commented: ‘No other red-wine appellation in Bordeaux offers blends in which Bordeaux’s two leading varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) find quite such harmony and balance as in Pessac-Léognan.’
Elsewhere, Italy received a prestigious Platinum medal for Gagliole, Balisca, Colli della Toscana Centrale 2019 from Tuscany, described by the experts as a well-defined and firm wine with livening acidity and long minty finish.
Two Gold medals were awarded to China, highlighting the country’s significant efforts and progress in crafting top-quality wines. Both coming from Ningxia, ‘polished tannins’ was a term used to describe both wines.
To celebrate International Cabernet Sauvignon Day, we highlight 20 top-scoring Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines from DWWA which are well worth looking for. Discover more award-winning wines at awards.decanter.com ?
Celebrating International Cabernet Sauvignon Day: 20 to try
Australia
Evans & Tate, Redbrook Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2018
Best in Show, 97 points
The summer warmth is very much apparent in the wine’s aromas: a broad, structured upland of currant, plum, black cherry and bramble fruit with just a little menthol to bring freshness and dimension. On the palate, the wine is acid-balanced and smooth, once again throwing a spotlight on those long, complex fruits. It’s amply accessible already, though its fruit qualities will certainly hold for some years yet. Alcohol 14%
Fermoy, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2018
Gold, 96 points
Perfumed and lifted nose displaying scents of dark rose buds, violets, vanilla spice, cedar and masses of minty cassis and smoked plums. Sumptuous palate, creamy. Alc 14.5%
Blue Pyrenees Estate, Richardson Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Pyrenees, Victoria 2019
Gold, 95 points
Nice clove-scented nose with smoky notes and classic aromas of juicy black cherries, mint and liquorice. Very fine grainy tannins, ambitious and complex, luxurious. Alc 14.3%
Brown Hill Estate, Ivanhoe Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020
Gold, 95 points
Powerful on the nose, with loads of black currant and dark plummy fruit aromas, framed by well-judged spicy oak notes….
Source : https://www.decanter.com/decanter-world-wine-awards/celebrating-international-cabernet-sauvignon-day-20-to-try-509932/
