Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Shiraz & Other Cab Sauv Blends Explained

Date Published: May 21, 2026, Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by I Like Wine

Cab Sauv blends combine Cabernet Sauvignon with other grape varieties to create red wines with more balance, texture and complexity.

While Cabernet Merlot and Cabernet Shiraz are among the most popular styles, Cabernet Sauvignon is also commonly blended with varieties such as Sangiovese and Malbec to create layered, food-friendly red wines.

Some Cab Sauv blends are bold and powerful, while others are smoother, softer and more approachable depending on the blend and winemaking style. This guide explores the most common Cab Sauv blend styles, what they taste like and what makes each one unique.

Like your reds bold but smooth? Explore our Cab Sauv blends for layered, food-friendly wines with depth, structure, and balance.

What are Cab Sauv blends?

Cab Sauv blends are red wines made by combining Cabernet Sauvignon with one or more other grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon often brings structure, dark fruit and firm tannins, while the blending partner can add softness, spice, richness or a smoother finish.

This is why Cab Sauv blends can feel more rounded than straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Depending on the blend, they may be bold and powerful, smooth and easy-drinking, or layered with savoury complexity.

Why are Cabernet wines blended?

Winemakers blend Cabernet Sauvignon with other grape varieties to create more balance and complexity in the finished wine. While Cabernet Sauvignon is known for structure and tannins, blending grapes like Merlot or Shiraz can soften the texture, add richer fruit flavour, or introduce depth.

Blending also allows winemakers to shape the wine’s style based on the region, vintage, and intended drinking experience. Some Cab Sauv blends are made to be bold and age-worthy, while others are designed to be smoother and more approachable from a younger age.

 

Common Cab Sauv blends and styles

Cabernet Merlot

Cabernet Merlot blends are typically smoother and softer than straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot can add plush fruit flavour and a rounder texture, helping balance Cabernet’s firmer tannins and structured finish.

These blends are often approachable, food-friendly and suited to drinkers who enjoy bold reds without too much dryness or grip.

Cabernet Shiraz

Cabernet Shiraz blends are usually richer and more powerful in style. Shiraz can add ripe fruit flavour, spice and body to Cabernet Sauvignon, creating fuller reds with bold character and depth.

This style is especially popular in Australia, where regions such as McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, and the Barossa Valley are known for producing generous, fruit-driven Cabernet Shiraz blends.

Other Cab Sauv blends to know

Cabernet Sauvignon is also blended with a range of other grape varieties depending on the winemaking style and region. Examples include Malbec for extra richness and dark fruit, or Sangiovese to introduce brighter acidity and savoury character.

Multi-varietal red blends can create more layered and complex wines, often combining structure, spice, fruit and softness in a single bottle.

 

What is the flavour and texture of Cab Sauv blends?

Cab Sauv blends are valued for the way they balance Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure with the character of other grape varieties. Depending on the blend, they can show dark fruit notes like blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant, alongside spice, oak, and chocolate.

Cabernet Merlot styles often feel smoother and rounder, while Cabernet Shiraz blends tend to bring more richness, body, and spice. Other blends, such as Cabernet Malbec or Sangiovese Cabernet, add depth, brightness, or a more savoury edge.

How do Cab Sauv blends compare to Cab Sauv?

Straight Cab Sauv is usually led by Cabernet Sauvignon’s firm structure, dark fruit, and dry finish. It can feel bold, tannic, and age-worthy, especially from regions known for classic Cabernet styles.

Cab Sauv blends use Cabernet Sauvignon as part of a broader mix. The other grape varieties can soften the tannins, add richness, introduce spice, or create a smoother finish. This makes many Cab Sauv blends feel more rounded and approachable, while still keeping the depth and structure Cabernet Sauvignon is known for.

What foods pair well with Cab Sauv blends?

Cab Sauv blends pair well with foods that have richness, savoury depth, and enough flavour to match the wine’s structure. Because these blends can be smoother than straight Cabernet Sauvignon, they are also quite versatile at the table.

Good pairings include:

• Grilled steak or roast beef: works well with the dark fruit, tannins, and savoury structure of Cabernet-based blends.
• Roast lamb: a natural match for Cabernet Merlot or Cabernet Shiraz, especially with herbs, garlic, or roasted vegetables.
• BBQ meats: fuller Cabernet Shiraz blends can handle smoky, charred, and richly seasoned flavours.
• Tomato-based pasta: smoother blends can pair nicely with slow-cooked tomato sauces, especially with beef, mushroom, or sausage.
• Aged cheeses: firm cheeses like cheddar or parmesan suit the wine’s structure and richer fruit character.

An easy rule:

• Pair lighter, smoother Cab Sauv blends with pasta, roast chicken, or casual dinners
• Save the fuller, bolder blends for BBQs, red meat, and slow-cooked dishes

Explore Cab Sauv blends

From smooth Cabernet Merlot styles to richer Cabernet Shiraz blends, Cab Sauv blends offer a wide range of flavour profiles for different tastes and occasions.

Whether you prefer softer, easy-drinking reds or fuller wines with bold structure and spice, these blends are a versatile choice for entertaining, dinners, and everyday red wine drinking.

Ready to find your next red? Browse our Cab Sauv blends and discover smooth, structured wines made for dinners, BBQs, and relaxed entertaining.