Wine
Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon
An Epic Rivalry in the Red Wine Showdown
May 9, 2025
When it comes to red wine, two standout varieties often take center stage: Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. These revered grapes have long captivated wine lovers around the globe, from novices to professionals and beyond. However, each grape offers a distinct tasting experience shaped by its origins, growing conditions, and flavor profile, and understanding the key differences between the two will help you make more informed choices—whether selecting a bottle for a special occasion, pairing it with a meal, or simply expanding your wine knowledge.
In this guide, we’ll explore the origins, flavor profiles, body, tannins, aging potential, and food pairings of these two beloved red wines, with tips and recommendations from our expert sommeliers along the way. Get your glasses ready and let’s dive in.
Origins & Growing Conditions
Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties, with origins tracing back over 2,000 years to the renowned Burgundy region of France. This delicate grape is notoriously difficult to grow due to its thin skin and susceptibility to disease, thriving in cooler climates where it develops elegant, nuanced flavors. The best Pinot Noir-producing regions include:
Burgundy, France (the gold standard for Pinot Noir)
Oregon’s Willamette Valley (cool-climate refinement)
California’s Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley (fruit-forward expressions)New Zealand’s Central Otago (vibrant acidity and bright fruit)
Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, is a hardier grape with thick skins and natural disease resistance. It originated in the Bordeaux region of France but has become one of the most widely planted red grape varieties worldwide, particularly in warmer climates. The best Cabernet Sauvignon regions include:
Bordeaux, France (where it blends with Merlot for world-class Bordeaux wines)
Napa Valley, California (bold, opulent expressions with deep fruit and oak influence)
Chile’s Maipo Valley (structured, herbaceous, and balanced wines)Australia’s Coonawarra (earthy, eucalyptus-driven Cabs)
Flavor Profile: Light & Elegant vs. Bold & Powerful
The most significant contrast between these two wines is their flavor profile and intensity.
“Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are as different as wines can be with Pinot Noir being light, fruity and sometimes earthy and Cabernet Sauvignon being big, tannic and oaky,” says Hugo Arias, Sommelier at Sommsation. Arias notes that Pinot Noir can often be a better wine for sipping solo, as its tannic structure is more approachable, plus its bright, fruit-forward characteristics can make it a bit more appealing for having more than one glass.
Pinot Noir: Delicate, Aromatic, and Versatile
Pinot Noir is known for its light to medium body, vibrant acidity, and soft tannins. It typically features:
Red Fruits: Cherry, raspberry, strawberry
Subtle earthy notes – Mushroom, forest floor, truffle
Floral & spice undertones – Violets, rose petals, baking spices
Pinot Noir’s naturally high acidity and lower tannin levels make it an approachable, food-friendly wine with silky texture and refined complexity.
“Pinot Noir is a light red with really nice acidity and this helps immensely with food pairings,” says Arias, stating that anything that is light (delicate fish or poultry), fruity (sauces), or earthy (mushrooms or potatoes) can be matched with a Pinot Noir—though make sure you know the region and producer well, as it is one of the best wines to showcase terroir.
SOMMSATION RECS:
Ricochet Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022 ($40.00) - Nuanced aromas of black cherry, baker's chocolate, and rose petal with deep hints of red huckleberry, raspberry, cherry compote, star anise, and flint. A balanced wine with approachable acidity that brightens the dark fruit structure, while the inherent tannins provide distinguished grip.
SOM LS Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 ($75.00) - A complex balance between fruit and earth, perfumed and floral, texturally exciting.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Rich, Bold, and Structured
Cabernet Sauvignon, in contrast, is full-bodied with pronounced tannins and deep concentration. Expect:
Dark Fruits: Blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, dark cherry
Secondary Notes: Green bell pepper, cedar, mint, tobacco, leather
Oak Influence: Prominent, often aged in new French or American oak for vanilla, spice, and toasty complexity
“Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape that I like pairing with the protein of the dish,” says Arias, stating that considering the cooking method in which the protein is served is also key. “The way meats or other ingredients are prepared can make a huge difference when it comes to a good wine pairing,” he explains.
SOMMSATION RECS:
Seavey Vineyard Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 ($110.00) - The 2020 Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromatic notes of spice, dark fruit, and cedar. An expression of the Seavey hillside vineyards, this elegant wine stimulates the palate with blackberry balanced by pronounced notes of sweet tobacco and underscored by dense mineral and fragrant earth, leading to a smooth finish that lingers.
Revana Wines St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($245.00) - A beautifully textured and authentically powerful Napa Cabernet with elegant integration of French Oak.
Body & Tannin Structure
One of the most notable differences between Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon is their body and tannin levels.
Pinot Noir is soft and elegant, ideal for those who prefer a gentler wine experience. Cabernet Sauvignon’s firm tannins create a more robust mouthfeel, making it ideal for those who love intense, long-lasting wines.
Pinot Noir → Light to medium-bodied with low to moderate tannins, creating a soft, silky texture.
Cabernet Sauvignon → Full-bodied with high tannins, contributing to a robust, bold mouthfeel and excellent aging potential.
Lindsay Koblitz, Sommelier at Sommsation, notes that the main differences are in their body, structure, and flavor profile. “Pinot Noir is generally light to medium bodied, while Cabernet is generally full-bodied,” she says. Additionally, Koblitz notes that Pinot Noir is a thinner skinned grape, which results in lighter color and tannin in the wine, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon is a thicker skinned grape, resulting in deeper color and more tannin.
Food & Pairing Occasions
Both wines pair wonderfully with food, but they shine in different culinary settings.
Koblitz notes that while both varieties pair well with different types of food, and pairing based on the wines’ structure is key. “Pinot Noir will pair well with lighter foods, such as roast chicken, duck, salmon, or mushroom based dishes,” she says. On the contrary, Koblitz notes that the tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon make it more ideal for pairing with red meat based dishes, such as steak or lamb.
Pinot Noir: Versatile & Elegant
Pinot Noir’s lighter body and acidity make it one of the most food-friendly red wines. It pairs beautifully with:
Poultry & Pork – Roast chicken, turkey, duck, pork tenderloin
Earthy Dishes – Mushroom risotto, truffle-based pastas
Salmon & Tuna – A rare red wine that pairs well with fish
Soft Cheeses – Brie, Camembert, Gruyère
Best for: Date nights, casual dinners, Thanksgiving feasts, and garden parties.
SOMMSATION RECS:
Van Duzer Vineyards Roe and Roe Pinot Noir 2021 ($65.00) - The 2023 Gaps Crown Pinot Noir reveals an enticing nose of ripe red cherry, cranberry, and a hint of rose petal, underscored by subtle earthy notes and a touch of spice. On the palate, it offers a dynamic range of flavors, including juicy raspberry, pomegranate, and a whisper of fresh herbs.
brick & mortar Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 ($105.00) - Rich blackberry and plum flavors mingle with cedar and juniper notes, elegantly framed by the oak influence. This vintage showcases a satisfying weight on the mid-palate and finish, striking a harmonious balance between coastal-influenced fruit and refined oak nuances, promising a memorable tasting experience.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Rich & Robust
Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold tannins and deep flavors require hearty, rich foods to balance its structure. Ideal pairings include:
Steak & Lamb – Ribeye, filet mignon, lamb chops
Braised & Grilled Meats – Short ribs, BBQ brisket, venison
Hard Cheeses – Aged cheddar, Gouda, blue cheese
Dark Chocolate – Pairs beautifully with high-cocoa dark chocolate
Best for: Formal dinners, celebrations, winter evenings, and pairing with aged, complex dishes.
SOMMSATION RECS:
Ty Caton Vineyards Estate Winemakers Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($40.00) - The Estate Winemaker's Cuvee meets the palate with rich and full-bodied flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla. These dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured mouth feel that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.
Clif Family Winery Cold Springs Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($150.00) - Aromas of fresh berries – blackberry, blueberry, raspberry – with notes of fragrant violets and a touch of minerality. The aromas evolve into milk chocolate, cedar and cinnamon spice. The palate is balanced and elegant with the finesse that we have grown to expect from this site.
Aging Potential: How Long Should You Wait?
Arias explains that Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are completely different in terms of structure, and that some of those differences help with the aging process. “Pinot Noir is lighter but less color and less tannins, but usually with a lot more acidity, is the key to age Pinot Noir for a long time,” he explains. On the other hand, he Arias notes that Cabernet Sauvignon also has good acidity, but here, it’s the alcohol and tannins that help the aging process. If you're ready to dive deeper into the world of wine and create lasting memories, book a personalized wine tasting experience or explore curated wine selections with us today.
Pinot Noir: Best Enjoyed Young (But Can Age Gracefully)
Typical aging window: 3–30+ years
Changes with age: Gains earthy, mushroom, and savory notes
- Exceptions: Premium Burgundy & Oregon Pinot Noir can age 15+ years
SOMMSATION RECS:
Talley Vineyards Rosemary‘s Pinot Noir 2022 ($95.00) - Aromas of juicy cherry, pluot and lilac lead to flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and tobacco. The finish is long and fine with complex tannins.
Paradise Springs Winery Pinot Noir Sanford and Benedict Founders Block 2018 ($105.00) - This bright Pinot delivers a silky palate and earthy red fruits like figs, which are framed nicely by balanced acidity and supple tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Built for the Long Haul
Typical aging window: 5–30+ years
Changes with age: Tannins soften, revealing leather, dried fruit, and spice notes
- Aging potential: Best from regions like Bordeaux and Napa Valley
SOMMSATION RECS:
Fleury Estate Winery Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($140.00) - Flavors of blackberry, mocha, savory herbs and black plum dance across your palate. The famed dust like tannin and fresh acidity brings it all together with a finish that lasts and lasts. Enjoy now or cellar for those patient enough.
Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($255.00) - Blackberry, tart cherry, and warm cassis waft from the glass, with notes of nutmeg and black pepper. This dense yet subtle wine has a well-rounded palate of huckleberry, red rope licorice candy, and cherry cola, with bitter chocolate, cinnamon, and a sweet tobacco finish.
Pro tip: Arias notes that beyond the structure of the wine, the key to long-lived wines is proper storage. “Making sure the wines are stored in a dark and cool place is imperative, and the most important is that it is constant, as temperature variations can kill a wine in no time,” he says. “If you bought a bottle of wine that a winemaker told you that it could last 50 years and you leave it in a hot and sunny place for two hours, the wine is done—so try your best to store wines as correctly as possible!” he exclaims.
At the end of the day, the best wine is the one that fits your taste and occasion.
The decision between Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon depends on your personal taste and the occasion:
Choose Pinot Noir if: You love light, elegant wines with bright red fruit, soft tannins, and high acidity. It’s perfect for everyday sipping and versatile food pairings.
Choose Cabernet Sauvignon if: You prefer bold, structured wines with deep fruit, firm tannins, and oak influence. It’s ideal for aged wines, hearty meals, and special occasions.
If you’re still unsure, why not try both? At Sommsation, we offer personalized wine tastings and curated selections to help you explore these two remarkable red wines. Arias sums it up best: “People that drink mostly Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon will generally not consume much of the other, but if you are a good wine enthusiast you would drink both depending on the occasion.”
Explore Your Wine Journey with Sommsation
Whether you gravitate toward the graceful Pinot Noir or the bold Cabernet Sauvignon, your wine journey should be one of discovery and enjoyment.
At Sommsation, our expert team makes finding the perfect wine for your palate as easy as possible. From personalized tastings to expertly curated selections, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.