6 days ago
World's Best Cabernet Sauv, According To Decanter World Wine Awards
Tasting a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with assorted nuts and herbs in the background. getty
Four Cabernet Sauvignon wines were awarded Best in Show, and eight received Platinum Medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards. All 12 wines, sourced from around the world, scored 97/100 points. The DWWA is the largest wine competition globally and is considered one of the most prestigious. Over 18,000 wines were entered in the recently completed 2025 judging. Here is a brief overview and tasting note for each of these wines.
Located in the fast-growing Helan Mountain East wine region of Ningxia, Dongfang Yuxing is part of China's emerging group of premium wine producers. Their "Geruihong Yeguangbei" series meets international quality standards while highlighting Chinese terroir.
The wine offers aromas of black cherry, rose petal, leather, and Chinese five-spice. The palate is full-bodied, with firm yet refined tannins, highlighting flavors of dark plum, licorice, toasted cedar, milk chocolate, and a subtle wet stone minerality. The finish is long and dry, with persistent fruit and cocoa notes.
A Sonoma classic, Kenwood's Six Ridges was the top-scoring American Sauvignon wine, earning 97/100 points and winning a Best in Show award. The wine showcases the diverse terrains of Sonoma County. The Alexander Valley Cabernets, in particular, are known for their ripeness and finesse.
The wine offers aromas of cassis, vanilla, clove, and cedar pencil shavings. The palate delivers flavors of ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, and hints of anise, supported by a tannic backbone of smooth, well-ripened, and integrated tannins, along with balanced acidity. The finish is long, polished, and velvety, with lingering sweet spice and balanced acidity.
Located on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, Knorhoek is a historic Stellenbosch estate known for its traditionally styled wines with aging potential.
The wine features aromas of black currant, cedar, eucalyptus, earth, and assorted wood spices. It's assertive and dry on the palate, with pronounced, gritty tannins that showcase flavors of cassis, roasted herbs, graphite, and a touch of dry tobacco leaf. The finish is long, structured, and slightly savory, with lingering notes of black fruits and a hint of minerality. Drinkable now, it's an ideal food wine, but it could benefit from some additional aging. Xanadu, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022, Margaret River, Australia, 14% ABV, 750 ml.
Xanadu is one of Margaret River's top wineries. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is its flagship wine, made from the region's best vineyards.
The wine offers aromas of blueberry, bay leaf, dark chocolate, and cigar box. It's concentrated and refined on the palate, with smooth, silky tannins and well-integrated acidity, highlighting flavors of blackberry, mint, dark olive, espresso, and milk chocolate. The finish is long and velvety, with lingering notes of black fruit and a subtle maritime salinity.
The Xanadu wine estate. Margaret River is the major wine region in southwest Western Australia, with 215 wineries. getty Fermoy, Wilyabrup Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022, Margaret River, Australia, 14% ABV, 750 ml.
Fermoy Estate is located in the Wilyabrup subregion. It produces refined, sophisticated Cabernets that emphasize Margaret River's maritime climate.
The wine features black fruit aromas of blackberry and mulberry, complemented by dried herbs and hints of sandalwood. It's full-bodied on the palate, with chewy tannins that display layers of blackcurrant, black tea, and forest floor flavors. The finish is long and slightly savory, with lingering notes of black fruit and a touch of graphite. Yarra Yering, Agincourt Cabernet-Malbec, 2022, Yarra Valley, Australia, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml.
Yarra Yering is among the most esteemed producers in the Yarra Valley. The Agincourt blend honors traditional Claret styles with a contemporary Australian flair.
The wine features aromas of red plum, violets, cocoa powder, and aromatic dried herbs. It is structured on the palate with a subtle tannic backbone and brisk acidity, showcasing red currant, tobacco, and a savory earthiness typical of Australian Malbec. The finish is long and smooth. Miguel Torres, Los Inquietos 02 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Maule, Chile, 14.5% ABV, 750 ml.
Miguel Torres Chile is a branch of the well-known Spanish wine family. The 'Los Inquietos' line emphasizes innovative, small-batch wines from various Chilean regions.
The wine offers aromas of blackberry jam, black pepper, roasted coffee, and cassis. It's full-bodied and smooth on the palate with ripe, soft tannins and lively acidity, highlighting black fruit, mocha, and a hint of graphite minerality. The finish is long and plush, with lingering notes of black fruit and subtle pepper. Li's Estate, Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China, 15.5% ABV, 750 ml.
Li's Estate, a top boutique producer in Ningxia, specializes in terroir-driven wines from sustainable vineyards in China's leading red wine region.
The wine exhibits dark fruit aromas of plum, cassis, and a hint of prune, complemented by notes of sandalwood and smoke. It's robust and powerful on the palate, with drying tannins and bright acidity, revealing layered flavors of dark fruit, Chinese herbs, and espresso. The finish is long and intense, with lingering notes of dark fruit, subtle spices, and a touch of minerality. Château Haut de la Bécade, 2022 Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, 14% ABV, 750 ml.
Located in the famous Pauillac appellation, Château Haut de la Bécade presents approachable yet traditional Left Bank Bordeaux styles, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the main grape.
The wine features classic Left Bank aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, leather, and graphite. It's structured and dry on the palate, with a pronounced tannic backbone and brisk acidity, showcasing flavors of plum, pencil lead, cigar box, earth, and savory herbs. The finish is long with lingering notes of black fruit, earth, and graphite. Château Brown, Le Colombier de Brown, 2022 Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 14% ABV, 750 ml.
Le Colombier is the second wine of Château Brown, a respected estate in Pessac-Léognan known for its elegant, age-worthy reds with smoky minerality.
The wine exhibits aromas of red cherry, toasted oak, crushed stone, and violets. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with soft, ripe tannins and brisk acidity, revealing flavors of red plum, graphite, and subtle wood spice notes. The finish is long and minerally, with lingering black fruit notes.
A vineyard in the Golan Heights. getty Golan Heights Winery, Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021, Galilee, Israel, 14.5% ABV, 750 ml.
Golan Heights Winery is Israel's most globally recognized winery. The Yarden label showcases their premium wines, known for their structure and finesse.
The wine offers aromas of blackberry, mint, black olive, and exotic spices. It's full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with smooth, ripe tannins and lively acidity that reveal flavors of jammy dark fruits, espresso, savory herbs, and toasted oak. The finish is long and velvety, with lingering notes of dark fruits and a subtle touch of Middle Eastern spice bazar. Gva'ot, Raz, 2019, Shomron, Israel, 14% ABV, 750 ml.
Gva'ot is a boutique winery situated in the Shomron Hills, known for their expressive wines from high-elevation vineyards. "Raz" is their flagship wine.
The wine features aromas of black cherry, anise, licorice, cedar, and aromatic Mediterranean herbs. It's rich and concentrated on the palate with ripe, well-integrated tannins and bright acidity, showcasing flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, sage, and thyme. The finish is long, with lingering notes of black fruits, fresh earth, and dried Mediterranean herbs.
From China's emerging talents in Ningxia to California's sun-drenched slopes, the gravel banks of Bordeaux, and Israel's highlands, this year's Decanter World Wine Awards confirmed that world-class Cabernet Sauvignon knows no borders. These outstanding wines showcase the remarkable versatility and global reach of the variety.
Whether driven by old-world tradition or new-world innovation, these twelve wines showcase power, elegance, and a distinct sense of terroir. They stand as a testament to Cabernet Sauvignon's status as a true global icon. Offering a captivating invitation to explore the world one glass at a time. More From Forbes Forbes America's Best Cabernet Wine, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Top American Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef Forbes Top Cabernet Sauvignon Wines From The San Francisco International Wine Competition By Joseph V Micallef
