The London Wine Competition continues to set itself apart in the wine world by evaluating wines not just on their technical excellence but also on how well they resonate with consumers. Unlike traditional competitions, it focuses on quality, value for money, and presentation, making it a true reflection of what wine lovers look for in a bottle. This approach ensures that the best Cabernet Sauvignon picks of 2024 are not only high in quality but also designed to appeal to everyday drinkers and trade buyers alike, offering excellent market value.

Unique Characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned for its full-bodied profile, featuring rich dark fruit flavours such as black cherry, blackberry, and black currant. This varietal also delivers savoury notes of spice and black pepper. Aromatically, Cabernet Sauvignon often reveals hints of vanilla and clove, thanks to its oak barrel ageing, along with a distinct green bell pepper note. The grape’s high tannin and acidity levels contribute to its robust structure.

In Old World regions like Bordeaux, France, Cabernet Sauvignon is characterised by herbal aromas, graphite, violets, tobacco, and black fruit flavours. In contrast, New World Cabernet Sauvignons, such as those from California, offer richer fruit flavours with notes of black cherry, licorice, and black pepper, often accompanied by a hint of vanilla. These wines typically exhibit lower tannin and acidity levels and higher alcohol content compared to their Old World counterparts.

Winner Showcase

The London Wine Competition also offers insights into the stories behind these award-winning wines through their Winner Showcase Videos. These videos delve into the winemaking philosophies and craftsmanship that brought these exceptional bottles to life, providing a deeper understanding of what makes them truly special.

The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines from the London Wine Competiton 2024

1. Justin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold Medal (95 Points)

The Justin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by Justin Vineyards & Winery, USA, is a standout with its impressive accolades. This 2021 vintage is celebrated for its floral and red and black cherry fruit aromatics, complemented by oak spice nuances on the nose. The wine’s fruit-forward profile features generous black cherry flavours with fine tannins, medium acidity, and a medium finish, making it a refined and balanced choice for enthusiasts.

Image Title & Source: Justin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

2. Justin 2020 Isosceles, Gold Medal (93 points)

The Justin 2020 Isosceles, also from Justin Vineyards & Winery, is renowned for its rich and opulent character, offering a delightful combination of sweet spices and licorice notes. The wine presents a lush mouthfeel with pronounced black fruit flavours and a medium finish, showcasing its depth and elegance.

Image Title & Source: Justin 2020 Isosceles

3. Rings Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Silver Medal (87 Points)

The Rings Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from The ARH Australian Wine Co Pty Ltd, is a 2022 vintage noted for its balsamic aromas and pronounced fresh black currant notes. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied experience with a delightful fruit profile and a pleasing finish, making it a noteworthy representation of Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Image TItle & Source: Rings Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

4. 1827 Cabernet Sauvignon de Purcari 2022, Silver Medal (87 Points)

The 1827 Cabernet Sauvignon de Purcari 2022 by Vinaria Purcari Srl, Australia, is distinguished by its aromas of black currant and black cherry, with fresh black fruit flavours on the palate. It is well-balanced with a harmonious blend of acidity and tannins, offering a smooth and enjoyable tasting experience.

Image TItle & Source: 1827 Cabernet Sauvignon de Purcari 2022

5. Ferngrove Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Silver Medal (86 Points)

Last but not the least, the Ferngrove Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from Ferngrove Wines, Australia, is a 2022 vintage that impresses with its aromas of fresh red fruits like cherry and plums, along with spice notes of vanilla, nutmeg, pepper, and clove. It features concentrated fruit flavours, a medium finish, and soft tannins, making it a well-rounded and flavorful option.

Image Title & Source: Ferngrove Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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Top Cabernet Sauvignon Producing Regions

France

Bordeaux stands out as the premier region for Cabernet Sauvignon, renowned for its complex and age-worthy wines. Within Bordeaux, key sub-regions include Médoc, Graves, and parts of Côtes de Bourg and Blaye. Médoc is particularly famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends, which often exhibit deep flavours of black currant, tobacco, and earthy notes. Graves offers a more nuanced expression with smoky, mineral qualities, while Côtes de Bourg and Blaye contribute to a broader range of styles, from more approachable and fruit-forward to more structured and complex. 

USA

California’s North Coast AVA is the most celebrated region for Cabernet Sauvignon. This area includes prestigious wine-growing regions such as Napa Valley, Sonoma, and several lesser-known but noteworthy regions. Napa Valley is particularly renowned for its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its full-bodied nature, intense fruit flavours, and well-integrated oak characteristics. The region’s diverse microclimates and soil types contribute to a wide range of styles. Sonoma, while also producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, often features a slightly more restrained and nuanced style compared to Napa. Other notable areas within North Coast AVA, such as Alexander Valley and Knights Valley, offer exceptional quality with distinctive profiles. 

South Australia

Home to several key regions known for their outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, the Coonawarra region, with its distinctive terra rossa soil and cool climate, is celebrated for its depth and structure. Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon often features rich, black fruit flavours, along with notes of mint, bay leaf, and white pepper. Langhorne Creek, another prominent area in South Australia, benefits from its warm climate and proximity to Lake Alexandrina, resulting in wines with ample depth and a silky mouthfeel. The region’s Cabernet Sauvignons are known for their powerful tannins and balanced acidity, offering flavours of black plum, chocolate, and subtle spice. 

Chile

The country’s best Cabernet Sauvignons come from the Aconcagua, Maipo, Cachapoal, and Colchagua Valleys. The Maipo Valley, located between the cooling Pacific Ocean breezes and the hot Andes Mountains, provides an ideal Mediterranean climate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines from this region, particularly the Alto Maipo subregion, are known for their structure, with flavours of blackberry, fig paste, and green peppercorn. The Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys contribute to the rich, fruit-forward style of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, with notes of blackberry, baking spices, and earthy undertones. The Central Valley, while producing a large volume of wine, also offers high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon with a balance of fruit and spice flavours. 

For trade buyers and wine enthusiasts seeking exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons that deliver remarkable quality and value, take a look at the complete list of winners of the London Wine Competition 2024.

Header image sourced from Adobe Stock Images.