From France to South Africa, Australia, Chile and Spain, Cabernet Sauvignon remains the benchmark for top-quality red wine, says Patricia Stefanowicz MW.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON is the world’s most-planted black wine grape and is France’s fourth black variety after Merlot, Grenache and Syrah.
It is easily recognisable in a wine, with a dark colour, high tannins and bracing acidity. The fruit flavours are blackcurrant and blackberry, and it has a natural affinity to oak, used to fill the mid-palate. Oak-influenced Cabernet Sauvignons show cedar wood, tobacco or vanilla, depending on the oak regime.
Unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon is difficult to make appealing, and this year’s unoaked samples were a disappointment, indicating that oak is almost certainly a requirement for good Cabernet wines. However, there were excellent wines at all price points among the oaked Cabernets and Cabernet blends. Under £15, samples were somewhat variable, but Golds were awarded to De Bortoli and Wirra Wirra from Australia, Cono Sur and VIK from Chile, and Carmel Road from California. Under £30, there were some fantastic examples, with Golds for several vibrant, carefully oaked, well-balanced wines from Chile, Australia, California and South Africa.
A special mention goes to a lovely Cabernet-dominated blend from Château Saint-Roch in St-Estèphe. Almost every wine at £30–£50 gained at least a Silver award. It was a delight to see Tokara’s Director’s Reserve Red 2022 from Stellenbosch earn a second Master, following last year’s award for the 2021 vintage, while Clos du Val from California secured a Gold.
At £50–£70, the wines were delectable. With intense, ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, careful extraction to achieve freshness and satin-textured tannins, plus the judicious use of oak, these were balanced, elegant wines. Golds went to California’s Freemark Abbey and Stonestreet, South Africa’s Jordan, and Torres’ Mas la Plana from Spain. Topping them all was the Master-winning Hickinbotham Trueman Cabernet from Clarendon in Australia.
Above £70, the wines were, frankly, great, showing definition of bright fruit, beautifully integrated cedar wood, silky textured tannins, lovely freshness, layers of flavour, superb length and complexity. Golds went to Wakefield/Taylors, De Bortoli, Kaesler and Wirra Wirra (Australia), Clos du Val and Daou (California), Montes and Carmen (Chile) and Campo alla Sughera (Bolgheri). Hoosegg’s Double Happy (Australia) garnered a Master, and Penfolds' renowned Bin 707 was awarded the Grand Master. Perhaps these seemingly outrageous prices are justified? The wines were certainly extraordinary.
So, instead of leaving with jaded palates and grinding teeth, the judges departed this Global Masters believing that
Cabernet Sauvignon has lost none of its aura as a piece of earthly gold.
Unoaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| Sutter Home Winery |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
NV |
Bronze |
| Cramele Recas |
Paparuda Cabernet Sauvignon |
Banat |
Romania |
2024 |
Bronze |
| Viña Casa Solís |
Pico Andino Cabernet Sauvignon |
Central Valley |
Chile |
2024 |
Bronze |
| £20-£30 |
| Tagaris |
Organic Cabernet Sauvignon |
Washington State |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £10 |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Winemakers Selection Cabernet Sauvignon |
SE Australia |
Australia |
2023 |
Gold |
| Neethlingshof Estate |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Silver |
| Alto Wine Estate |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2020 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Viña Cono Sur |
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Gold |
| Viña Sur Andino Chile |
Cigar Box Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Wirra Wirra Vineyards |
MVCG Cabernet Sauvignon |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Permission to Pivot |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Western Australia |
Australia |
2020 |
Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Deen Cabernet Sauvignon |
Heathcote |
Australia |
2019 |
Silver |
| Isla de Maipo, Izaga 1096 |
Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon |
Metropolitana |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Viña Carmen |
Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Viña Sur Andino Chile |
Frida Kahlo Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Nederburg |
The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coastal Region |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| £15-£20 |
| Three Thieves |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2023 |
Gold |
| Cramele Recas |
Selene Cabernet Sauvignon |
Banat |
Romania |
2023 |
Silver |
| Crama Gabai |
Gabai CS Oak Cask |
Dobrogea - Murfatlar |
Romania |
2021 |
Silver |
| Kaiken |
Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon |
Luján de Cuyo |
Argentina |
2022 |
Silver |
| Joel Gott Wines |
815 Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2021 |
Silver |
| Siegel Family Wines |
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon |
Colchagua |
Chile |
2019 |
Silver |
| Isla de Maipo, Izaga 1096 |
Amplus Cabernet Sauvignon |
Metropolitana |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Isla de Maipo, Izaga 1096 |
4to Elemento Cabernet Sauvignon |
Metropolitana |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Simonsig Family Vineyards |
Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Durbanville Hills |
Collectors Reserve The Castle of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon |
Durbanville |
South Africa |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Casa Madero |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Valle de Parras |
Mexico |
2023 |
Bronze |
| £20-£30 |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Gold |
| Ernie Els Wines |
Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2023 |
Gold |
| Wakefield Wines |
Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon |
Clare Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Langmeil Winery |
Barossa Kernel Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Melba Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2021 |
Silver |
| Bodegas Bianchi |
Bianchi Particular |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2022 |
Silver |
| Arínzano |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Navarra |
Spain |
2021 |
Silver |
| The Wine Portfolio |
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2020 |
Silver |
| Nederburg |
Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coastal Region |
South Africa |
2021 |
Silver |
| Viña Cobos |
Felino Cabernet Sauvignon |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2023 |
Silver |
| Nederburg |
Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Paarl |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Avontuur Estate |
The West Peak |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Napa Cellars |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2020 |
Bronze |
Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (continued)
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| £30-£50 |
| d'Arenberg |
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2020 |
Gold |
| Langmeil Winery |
Barossa Jackaman's Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Boschendal Wines |
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Gold |
| Delaire Graff Estate |
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Gold |
| Bodegas Salentein |
Numina |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2023 |
Gold |
| Church Road |
1 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Gold |
| Viña Cono Sur |
Silencio |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2020 |
Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Wakefield Wines |
St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon |
Clare Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Boschendal Wines |
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2017 |
Silver |
| Wakefield Wines |
Masterstroke Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coonawarra |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Boschendal Wines |
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2020 |
Silver |
| Viña Morandé |
El Cabernet de Ránquil |
Nuble |
Chile |
2020 |
Silver |
| Stellenrust |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2020 |
Silver |
| Casa Madero |
Cabernet Sauvignon Organic Grapes |
Valle de Parras |
Mexico |
2020 |
Silver |
| Casa Madero |
Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon |
Valle de Parras |
Mexico |
2020 |
Silver |
| Bellevue Wine Estate |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Wirra Wirra Vineyards |
Vintage Bell |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2019 |
Bronze |
| Tokara |
Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon |
Western Cape |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Jean Leon |
Vinya La Scala |
Penedès |
Spain |
2017 |
Bronze |
| £50-£70 |
| Hickinbotham |
Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon |
Clarendon |
Australia |
2021 |
Master |
| Jordan Wines |
Timepiece Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Gold |
| Familia Torres |
Mas La Plana |
Penedès |
Spain |
2019 |
Gold |
| Simonsig Family Vineyards |
The Garland |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Silver |
| £70-£100 |
| Hoosegg by Philip Shaw |
Double Happy |
Orange |
Australia |
2019 |
Master |
| De Bortoli Wines |
Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon |
Yarra Valley |
Australia |
2019 |
Gold |
| Wakefield Wines |
The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon |
Clare Valley |
Australia |
2020 |
Gold |
| Viña Santa Rita |
Casa Real |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Silver |
| Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates |
Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coonawarra |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Hoosegg by Philip Shaw |
Double Happy |
Orange |
Australia |
2018 |
Bronze |
| £100+ |
| Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates |
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coonawarra |
Australia |
2022 |
Grand Master |
| Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates |
Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon |
Coonawarra |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates |
Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2021 |
Gold |
Oaked Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Under £ 10 |
| Ménage à Trois |
Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Luis Felipe Edwards |
Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon |
Colchagua Valley |
Chile |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Luis Felipe Edwards |
Terra Vega Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon |
Colchagua Valley |
Chile |
2023 |
Bronze |
| £10-£15 |
| Church Road |
McDonald Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Gold |
| Carmel Road |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Monterey |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| VIK |
Omega Cabernet Sauvignon |
Cachapoal |
Chile |
2023 |
Gold |
| Wirra Wirra Vineyards |
Church Block |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Château Tanunda |
Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Howard Park Wines |
Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon |
Margaret River |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Murphy-Goode Winery |
California Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Langmeil Winery |
Barossa Wild Child Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Viña Santa Rita |
Medalla Real Gold Medal |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Nederburg |
The Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon |
Western Cape |
South Africa |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Viña San Pedro |
Castillo de Molina Cabernet Sauvignon |
Central Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| Viña Morandé |
Terrarum Single Estate |
Metropolitana |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
Oaked Cabernet Sauvignon Blend (continued)
| Winery |
Name of wine |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| £15-£20 |
| Calcu |
Tiny Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon |
Colchagua |
Chile |
2023 |
Gold |
| VIK |
A Cabernet Sauvignon |
Cachapoal |
Chile |
2023 |
Gold |
| Langmeil Winery |
Barossa Legendary Cabernet Shiraz |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Church Road |
Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2020 |
Gold |
| Church Road |
Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec |
Hawke's Bay |
New Zealand |
2021 |
Gold |
| Viña Maquis |
Revela Cabernet Sauvignon |
Colchagua |
Chile |
2023 |
Silver |
| Château Tanunda |
Swan Town Vineyards 980 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa |
Australia |
2023 |
Silver |
| Viña Morandé |
Vitis Única |
Metropolitana |
Chile |
2022 |
Silver |
| SeaGlass Wine Company |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Flagstone Winery |
Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon |
Cape Coast |
South Africa |
2020 |
Bronze |
| £20-£30 |
| Château Tanunda |
The Château Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa |
Australia |
2023 |
Gold |
| Kendall-Jackson |
Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
Alexander Valley |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Alto Wine Estate |
MPHS |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2018 |
Gold |
| Viña Cono Sur |
20 Barrels Limited edition Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2021 |
Gold |
| Château Saint-Roch |
Saint Roch St-Estèphe |
Bordeaux |
France |
2016 |
Gold |
| Tagaris Wines |
BoarDoe |
Washington State |
USA |
2020 |
Silver |
| Doña Paula |
Altitude Series, 1050 |
Mendoza |
Argentina |
2023 |
Silver |
| Thompson Estate |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Margaret River |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Terre à Terre |
Crayères Vineyard |
South Australia |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| DAOU Vineyards |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Silver |
| Langmeil Winery |
Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Silver |
| Delaire Graff Estate |
Botmaskop |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Silver |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2020 |
Bronze |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| Viña Carmen |
Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel |
Maipo |
Chile |
2023 |
Bronze |
| Koelenhof Winery |
Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2021 |
Bronze |
| £30-£50 |
| Tokara Wine Estate |
Director's Reserve Red |
Stellenbosch |
South Africa |
2022 |
Master |
| Clos du Val |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| Château Tanunda |
50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2022 |
Gold |
| Waterford Estate |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
Western Cape |
South Africa |
2019 |
Gold |
| Tokara Wine Estate |
Reserve Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon |
Western Cape |
South Africa |
2022 |
Silver |
| Morandé |
House of Morandé |
Maipo |
Chile |
2021 |
Silver |
| VIK |
Milla Cala |
Cachapoal |
Chile |
2022 |
Silver |
| Concha y Toro |
Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Silver |
| Quattro Theory Wines |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Château des Graviers Margaux |
Château des Graviers Margaux |
Bordeaux |
France |
2018 |
Silver |
| TerraNoble |
Lahuen |
Maipo |
Chile |
2022 |
Bronze |
| £50-£70 |
| Stonestreet Estate Vineyards |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
Alexander Valley |
USA |
2019 |
Gold |
| Freemark Abbey |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2021 |
Gold |
| DAOU Vineyards |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2022 |
Silver |
| £70-£100 |
| Campo alla Sughera |
Arnione |
Bolgheri |
Italy |
2021 |
Gold |
| Viña Carmen |
Carmen Gold |
Maipo Valley |
Chile |
2022 |
Gold |
| Kaesler Wines |
Kaesler Age of Light Cabernet Sauvignon |
Barossa Valley |
Australia |
2023 |
Gold |
| Montes |
Alpha M |
Colchagua |
Chile |
2020 |
Gold |
| Wirra Wirra Vineyards |
The Holy Thirst |
McLaren Vale |
Australia |
2019 |
Gold |
| Mt. Brave Wines |
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2021 |
Silver |
| £100+ |
| Clos du Val |
Yettalil |
Napa Valley |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
| DAOU Vineyards |
Estate Soul of a Lion |
California |
USA |
2022 |
Gold |
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Cabernet Sauvignon Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2025 competition was judged on 9 April at Sea Containers in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Cabernet Sauvignon Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the
Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at:
sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
