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All the medallists from the Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2024

Whether from France, Australia, the US or South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon’s natural austerity needs time – but it’s worth the wait, says Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON is an old variety, first mentioned in a written text in 1763-1777 as ‘Petit Cabernet’, but has certainly been around much longer. Its first mention as Cabernet Sauvignon was not until 1840. The parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was discovered in 1996 at University of California Davis, and was found to be a mating between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, both of which have been grown in France’s Gironde for millennia.

Cabernet Sauvignon is also the dominant variety in many of Bordeaux’s left bank Médoc and Graves wines, including all of the first growths from the 1855 classification, and consequently has been admired and planted in nearly every region where wine grapes are grown. This noble variety can produce exceptional wines in most warm regions, as the number of wines awarded medals in our 2024 Global Masters judging demonstrates. This year ’s competition was full of fascinating wines at every price point and from a wide range of countries and regions.

In its ‘homeland’ of Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is almost always blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other varieties to produce ‘Bordeaux blends’. Due to its small, deep blue-black berries and thick skins, Cabernet Sauvignon wines are usually dark-coloured, high in tannin and racy in acidity, with blackcurrant and blackberry flavours. It has a natural affinity with oak and, because of Cabernet’s naturally monolithic, and often austere, structure, the wines frequently need time to develop. However, Cabernet Sauvignon ages well, sometimes for decades.

Most of the wines we judged came from outside France, with the majority of our samples coming from the New World: Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and California – with a few from Turkey, Romania and even India.

Under £30, Gold medals were awarded for a number of vibrantly fruity, gently oaked, well-balanced wines. Special mentions should go to Kenwood Vineyards for its Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma (unusually inexpensive at £27) and Sula Vineyards’ RĀSĀ Cabernet Sauvignon from India (at the more modestly priced £17.99).

Wines at £30–£50 displayed a definite step up in quality. It was a delight to see Tokara’s Director ’s Reserve Red, a blend from Stellenbosch, earn a Master.

The judges found wines in the £50–£70 bracket to be delectable. With intense, ripe blackcurrant fruit, satin-textured tannins and judicious use of oak maturation, these were balanced, elegant wines. Alto Wine Estate’s MPHS from Stellenbosch was the stand-out performer among this particular group.

Above £70, all the Cabernet Sauvignon wines the judges tasted this year were extraordinary, with five Masters going to Wakefield/Taylor and Hoosegg (Australia), Bemberg Estate (South Africa) and Gallica and Clos du Val (Napa Valley), suggesting the high prices of these wines may well be justified.

Unoaked Rose – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£15-£20
Caeli Winery Felici Thrace Turkey 2023 Bronze

 

Unoaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Cramele Recas Paparuda Recas Romania 2022 Bronze
Cramele Recas Sanziana Recas Romania 2022 Bronze

 

Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
De Bortoli Wines Winemakers Selection South Australia Australia 2022 Gold
Viña Santa Helena Santa Helena Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley Chile 2023 Gold
Viña Santa Helena Alpaca Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley Chile 2023 Silver
Graffigna Genuine Collection Mendoza Argentina 2022 Silver
Kavaklidere Egeo Aegean Turkey 2021 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Woodfired Heathcote Australia 2020 Silver
Cavit Bottega Vinai Trentino Italy 2021 Bronze
Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Bronze
La Celia Reserve Uco Valley Argentina 2022 Bronze
£10-£15
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Vinovalie Terreo Cabernet Sauvignon Southwest France France 2022 Silver
Viña Morandé Selección de Viñedos Gran Reserva Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Langmeil Winery Wild Child Barossa Valley Australia 2022 Silver
Spier Wines Seaward Coastal South Africa 2021 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Deen Vat 9 Heathcote Australia 2017 Silver
Viña y Cava Valle Secreto First Edition Cachapoal Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards 360° Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile 2019 Bronze
Le Grand Domaine The Pledge Our Stellie Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Bronze
Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Australia 2022 Silver
£15-£20
Sula Vineyards RASA Maharashtra India 2022 Gold
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley Argentina 2022 Silver
Viña Cousiño Macul W [Double U:] Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Castle of Good Hope Durbanville South Africa 2022 Silver
Bodega Mauricio Lorca Lorca Poetico Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley Argentina 2021 Silver
Yedi Bilgeler Solon Attica Izmir Turkey 2022 Silver
Viña Carmen Carmen Gran Reserva Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Brampton Roxton Black Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 Silver
Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run South Australia Australia 2019 Bronze
Viña Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Chile 2023 Bronze

 

Oaked 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (continued)

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£20-£30
Bellevue Wine Estate The Reserve Collection Stellenbosch South Africa 2022 Gold
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Masterstroke Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra Australia 2021 Gold
St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra Australia 2021 Gold
Warwick Blue Lady Western Cape South Africa 2020 Gold
Gatt Wines High Eden Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Gold
Gatt Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Silver
MontGras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Boschendal Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2017 Silver
Cramele Recas Selene Cabernet Sauvignon Recas Romania 2021 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Melba Reserve Yarra Valley Australia 2018 Silver
Boschendal Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Silver
Viña Los Boldos La Campana Cachapoal Valley Chile 2019 Silver
Louisvale Wines 5 Barrels Cabernet Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 Silver
Alto Wine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Silver
Stellenview Wines Kruger Family Reserve Western Cape South Africa 2020 Silver
Viña Undurraga TH Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon Cauquenes Maule Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Sutil Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Chamlija Cabernet Sauvignon Strandja Mountain Turkey 2021 Silver
Langmeil Winery Blacksmith C Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Viña Undurraga TH Terroir Hunter Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Le Grand Domaine Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Silver
Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Maipo Valley Chile 2020 Bronze
Spier Wines 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Bronze
Koelenhof Winery 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Bronze
Koelenhof Winery 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Bronze
Stellenview Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Western Cape South Africa 2018 Bronze
Langmeil Winery Kernal Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Bronze
Château Tanunda The Château Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Australia 2022 Gold
£30-£50
Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Coastal Region South Africa 2020 Gold
Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Dry Farmed California USA 2021 Gold
Arínzano Cabernet Sauvignon Navarra Spain 2019 Gold
St Hugo DR3 Coonawarra Australia 2021 Gold
Viña Santa Rita Floresta Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Terrazas de los Andes Grand Cabernet Sauvingon Uco Valley Argentina 2021 Silver
Church Road 1 Cabernet Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2020 Silver
Viña Neyen de Apalta Tesis Primus Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Langmeil Winery Jackaman’s Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Kenwood Vineyards Rugged Elements Wasson Vineyard California USA 2021 Silver
Viñedos Veramonte Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Chile 2021 Silver
Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Wild Ferment California USA 2021 Silver
Thelema Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 Silver
Church Road 1 Cabernet Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Silver
Château Tanunda 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Australia 2021 Gold
£50-£70
Hickinbotham Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Australia 2021 Master
Cono Sur Silencio Maipo Valley Chile 2019 Gold
Viña Cousiño Macul Jardín de Macul Maipo Valley Chile 2020 Silver
£70-£100
Bemberg Estate Wines La Linterna Parcela No.19 Cafayate Argentina 2018 Master
Wakefield/Taylors Wines The Visionary Clare Valley Australia 2019 Master
Wakefield/Taylors Wines St Andrews Clare Valley Australia 2021 Gold
Viña Santa Rita Casa Real Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
De Bortoli Wines Melba Vineyard Yarra Valley Australia 2018 Silver

 

Oaked Blend

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña San Pedro Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley Chile 2023 Silver
Fleur du Cap Essence du Cap Cabernet Sauvignon Western Cape South Africa 2022 Silver
Nederburg The Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon Western Cape South Africa 2022 Bronze
£10-£15
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Viña Santa Rita Santa Rita Medalla Real Gold Medal Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Blaauwklippen Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2022 Silver
Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Etiqueta Roja Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Viña Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Central Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards Terra Vega Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
£15-£20
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Maipo Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Merlot Malbec Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Gold
Viña Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Especial Maule Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Langmeil Winery Legendary Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa Valley Australia 2021 Gold
Church Road McDonald Series Cabernet Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Gold
Carmel Road Winery Cabernet Sauvignon California USA 2021 Gold
Viña Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Privada Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Etiqueta Negra Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Kenwood Vineyards Discoveries Cabernet Sauvignon California USA 2021 Silver
VIK A Cachapoal Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Merlot Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2020 Silver
Viña Carmen Cabernario N°5 Luján de Cuyo Argentina 2022 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Taylor Made Cabernet Malbec Clare Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Viña Morandé Vitis Única Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
£20-£30
Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon California USA 2019 Gold
Bodegas Bianchi Bianchi Particular San Rafael Argentina 2021 Gold
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Sonoma County USA 2021 Gold
Concha y Toro Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvigonon Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Silver
MontGras Intriga Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Silver
St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra Australia 2019 Silver
Viña Cousiño Macul Finis Terrae Red Blend Maipo Valley Chile 2018 Silver
£30-£50
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Master
Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA 2021 Gold
Chamlija Sui Generis Strandja Mountain Turkey 2020 Gold
Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Alexander Valley USA 2021 Gold
Viña Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel Maipo Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Château Mongravey Margaux Cru Bourgeois Supérieur Bordeaux France 2019 Silver
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Silver
Pasaeli Bagcilik ve Sarapalik Kaynaklar Aegean Turkey 2018 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Masterstroke Cabernet Shiraz Clare Valley Australia 2019 Bronze

Oaked Blend (continued)

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£50-£70
Alto Wine Estate MPHS Stellenbosch South Africa 2017 Master
Trefethen Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA 2021 Gold
Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine Mai dire Mai Fear No Dark Veneto Italy 2020 Gold
Viña Undurraga Altazor Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Cousiño Macul Lota Maipo Valley Chile 2020 Bronze
£70-£100
Hoosegg by Philip Shaw Double Happy Orange NSW Australia 2019 Master
Hoosegg by Philip Shaw Double Happy Orange NSW Australia 2018 Gold
Viña Carmen Carmen Gold Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Kaesler Wines Age of Light Barossa Valley Australia 2022 Gold
Bodega Mauricio Lorca Inspirado Uco Valley Argentina 2020 Gold
£100+
Clos du Val Yettalil Napa Valley USA 2021 Master
Gallica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA 2021 Master
Grand Napa Vineyards Stone Crib Estate Rutherford Rutherford USA 2021 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 2024 competition was judged on 17 April at The Thomas Cubitt 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 the medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

 

 

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