The show stoppers from the db Asia Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2024

Cecilia Wong takes us through the selection of wines that stood out at the drinks business Asia Cabernet Sauvignon Masters, showcasing the impressive range of this iconic grape variety.

When we talk about red wine, which grape variety comes to mind? Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the red grapes that tops the list, being one of the world’s most popular and most widely planted. You can find it in all major wine producing countries, from France, Italy and Spain to the US, Australia, Chile, South Africa and many more.

It originated as a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux, France, and remains famous today as one of the varieties fundamental to a Bordeaux blend.

Some Cabernet Sauvignon wines are more fruit-forward, while others are more savoury and herbaceous – it all depends on where it grows and how the wine is made. The classic style of Cabernet Sauvignon wine is usually full-bodied, with medium to high acidity and tannins, and is famous for its ageing potential.

In cooler wine-growing regions, Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to have black-fruit notes with some green bell pepper, minty, toasty, and tobacco notes. In warmer wine-growing regions, it tends to have more ripe dark-fruit flavours, and can sometimes be quite jammy.

In all, 26 Cabernet Sauvignon expressions from all over the world – including Italy, Chile, US, South Africa, China, Australia, and New Zealand – were blind tasted by a panel of expert judges for the drinks business Asia Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2024. The judges awarded just one Master award, alongside five Gold awards, 14 Silver medals and six Bronzes.

This year’s panel included: Cecilia Wong, co-chair of the drinks business Asia Masters; Esther Poon, senior sommelier at Feuille restaurant in Hong Kong; and Ronald Mok, managing director of Hong Kong’s Somm Wine Cellar. The tasting took place at Metro Workspace, Central, Hong Kong.

The entries showcased diverse and interesting expressions, categorised from single-varietal to blends, unoaked or oaked, in various price ranges. The judges awarded the sole Master award to Wakefield Taylors Family Wines The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, from Clare Valley, Australia (price range HK$1,000–HK$1,100). This oaked wine was a single-varietal made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. All the judges found it to be very well balanced, elegant, and with good structure. The wine has a deep ruby colour, intense aromas and with dark plum, blackberries, redcurrant, toast, cedar, cassis, a hint of mint, and earthy and spice notes.

“It is very aromatic. It has a great structure and the tannins are very silky. It is a very good wine,” said Somm Wine Cellar’s Mok.

Among the five Gold awards, there were three oaked Cabernet Sauvignons. One of the Golds went to Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, from Western Cape, South Africa (price range HK$201–HK$250), made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a “deep ruby colour, elegant and with violet, black plum, blackberries, toasty, licorice, sweet spices, and cocoa notes”.

Another Gold award went to Church Road 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, from Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (price range HK$550–HK$600), made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with “good acidity and structure, as well as lavender, toasty, black currant, blackberries, cedar and spice notes”.

In the HK$701–HK$750 price range, a Gold award went to Hoosegg Double Happy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, from Orange, New South Wales, Australia. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is ”aromatic with violets, roses, vanilla, black plum, black pepper and sweet spices notes”. Cecilia Wong said of the wine: “It’s elegant, aromatic, and with intense structure. It has fine-grained tannins, approachable, charming fruity notes, and is well balanced. It has good ageing potential. It’s one of my favourites of the day.”

In the oaked blend category, two Gold awards were given out. One went to Taylors Taylor Made Cabernet Malbec 2021, from Clare Valley, Australia, (price range HK$100–HK$150). The wine was matured in French oak barrels for 14 months, made from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec, with “toasty, blackcurrant, licorice, cedar, and a hint of mint”. Judge Esther Poon described the wine as “balanced and well integrated”. She said: “It’s very good value for money.”

The final Gold award went to Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, US (price range HK$450–HK$500). Aged in French oak for 13 months, the wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec, and has a “deep ruby colour, with intense ripe black cherries, blackberries, toasty, earthy and savoury notes”.

Cabernet Sauvignon Unoaked 100%

Cabernet Sauvignon Oaked 100%

Cabernet Sauvignon Oaked Blend